Uche could join Crystal Palace on a permanent deal before Afcon – what he needs to do

Nigeria international Christantus Uche could secure a permanent move to Crystal Palace before the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on December 21, but only if he meets a key condition.

On deadline day, Uche joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan rather than the permanent deal many expected. 

The agreement includes an option to buy, which becomes mandatory if the versatile midfielder starts at least ten matches for Palace, according to Ceuta president Luhay Hamido.

With Palace set to play a minimum of 20 matches between now and the Africa Cup of Nations kickoff, including their Carabao Cup fourth round tie, Uche must start at least half of those fixtures for the clause to be triggered.

The 22-year-old is still waiting for his first start in Palace colours, having made two substitute appearances so far, one in the Premier League against Sunderland and another in the Carabao Cup against Millwall. 

Should he fail to reach ten starts by the end of the season, he will be obliged to return to his parent club Getafe.

Speaking to Club Deportivo (Radio Televisión Ceuta), via Marca, Hamido clarified the terms of the deal: "Uche's money has not yet arrived, he has to play ten games as a starter for the purchase to count , if not, he returns to Getafe again.

"If he plays those ten games, the loan with the right to buy is mandatory and the corresponding percentage would be counted in chapter one of the salary cap. If it is before the winter market, we could use it."

Uche joined Ceuta from Moralo in the Spanish Third Division in the summer of 2023, before moving to Getafe a year later for €500,000, with Ceuta also retaining a percentage of any future sale.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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