Crystal Palace midfielder Ozoh gets PL debut ball after history-making appearance v Newcastle 

A Premier League debut ball has been presented to Flying-Eagles eligible midfielder David Ozoh.

Ozoh became Crystal Palace's youngest-ever player in Premier League history after coming on for Odsonne Edouard in a goalless draw against Newcastle United on January 21.

Aged 17 years and 260 days, Ozoh broke the club record previously held by another Nigerian player George Ndah who made his Premier League debut for Palace at 17 years, 11 months and 5 days. 

 
Ozoh has been one of the standout players this season for Crystal Palace's U21s side, starting all 19 games he has been available for selection and has registered two goals.

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The 17-year-old's performance impressed former Crystal manager Patrice Viera, who handed him his debut.

The Premier League debut ball was presented to Ozoh by Paddy McCarthy, who was his coach at U-18s and U-21s levels.

McCarthy, who is now an assistant to Crystal Palace's first team manager, Roy Hodgson told Crystal Palace's official website: "It's well-earned. It's a fantastic achievement from a fantastic young man, he deserves it. I'm sure it will be the first of many.

"We all watched it – we were away at Liverpool the night of the game, we travelled to Liverpool. To see him come off the bench, we were all delighted, we were all excited."

Ozoh expressed his delight after receiving the debut ball.

"It's an unbelievable achievement to make my Premier League debut for the club I love," Ozoh said as he received his ball. "It was a great moment for me and my family.

"When it happened I played a game straight away at Liverpool so now it has sunk in, it's a great feeling. I didn't have enough time to recover and check messages [before], but I couldn't stop checking my phone. Every minute I was getting messages all the time".

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A debut ball is given to all homegrown debutants who have been developed at an Academy of a club in the English football pyramid for three years or more prior to their 21st birthday.

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Abdulkareem Abdulhamid 

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