Confirmed : Ex-Crystal Palace Defender Egbo Joins SV Darmstadt 98

Through a statement on their official website, German 2. Bundesliga club SV Darmstadt 98 have announced the signing of Nigeria-eligible defender Mandela Egbo, who last wore the jersey of Borussia Mönchengladbach.

A product of Crystal Palace youth team, Egbo joins SV Darmstadt 98 as a free agent and has put pen to paper on a three-year deal that will keep him in Hesse until the end of the 2021-2022 season.

The defender was one of the first Nigerian teenagers to sever his ties with a Premier League club by opting to move abroad, before the likes of Keanan Bennetts (ex-Tottenham), Noni Maduke (ex-Tottenham) and Ashinme Kigbu (ex-Manchester City) followed in his footsteps.

In his first words as a SV Darmstadt 98 player, Egbo said : ''I've already looked at the home game against Erzgebirge Aue in the stadium and was immediately positively impressed by the fans, the atmosphere and the passionate, courageous style of play, which only confirmed my image of the club.

''Darmstadt 98 is a great club, I think it suits me.''

For the 2019-2020 season, Egbo has been handed the number two shirt as Sebastian Hertner will play with the number 3 in the future.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : sv98.de