Crystal Palace's teenage Irish-Nigerian striker receives first Premier League call-up 

Talented teenage striker of Nigerian descent, Franco Umeh-Chibueze received his first-ever call-up for a Premier League game as the Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at Goodison Park on Monday night. 

A Republic of Ireland U19 international, Umeh-Chibueze made the matchday squad along with two other academy players in the shape of Spanish-Nigerian defensive midfielder David Ozoh and Jadan Raymond. 

The 19-year-old, a striker by trade, was temporarily promoted to the first team of the Eagles on the back of his excellent performances for the development squad this season. 

He was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month for January 2024 after scoring three goals to take his goal involvements for the season to thirteen (8 goals, 5 assists). 

Signed from Cork City in the Republic of Ireland a year ago, Umeh-Chibueze has been invited to train with the first team of the Eagles on multiple occasions.

The versatile forward played four senior games for Cork City before his move to Crystal Palace. 

Umeh-Chibueze has to wait for his senior debut for the Londoners as he was a non-playing substitute against the Toffees; and will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of Ozoh who made his eleventh first team appearance for the Eagles tonight. 

Jordan Ayew opened the scoring for Crystal Palace with a tremendous strike in the 66th minute but Amadou Onana came off the bench to salvage a point for Sean Dyche's side with six minutes remaining. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: cpfc.co.uk

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