Official : Former Chelsea schoolboy Olise returns to London to join Crystal Palace

Through their official website, English Premier League club Crystal Palace have announced that they have completed the signing of Nigeria Football Federation target Michael Olise.

Olise is returning to a London club more than five years after he departed Chelsea, where he was on schoolboy terms prior to joining the Manchester City academy.

The current English Football League Young Player of the Season ended his association with Reading by inking a multi-year contract with the Eagles, until the end of the 2025-2026 campaign.

Following a banner season that saw him directly participate in 19 goals (7 goals, 12 assists) in 44 Championship games, the attacking midfielder was heavily courted by several Premier League clubs.

Speaking to Palace TV after the deal was confirmed, Olise said : "I had a conversation with the manager and he was talking about how he sees me in the team: the plans, the development and the vision for the club. It’s very good, so I thought it was a good fit.

"It’s a big moment: Premier League football. The Premier League is known to be the top league in the world, so it’s definitely going to be a lot tougher. But nothing that I’m not ready for".

Olise is Crystal Palace's first signing under new manager Patrick Vieira, and has been allocated the number 7 jersey for the 2021-2022 season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : cpfc.co.uk