Crystal Palace midfielder Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has signed his first professional deal with the Premier League club.
Rak-Sakyi, 18, joined Palace from Chelsea in 2019 and has emerged as one of the club’s most exciting young players.
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Who is he?
Palace expect big things from the 18-year-old midfielder.
After impressing for Crystal Palace’s U18 and U23 sides, Rak-Sakyi has been training with the first team and was included in the travelling squad for the 1-1 draw at Everton last week. He was then named on the bench for the 4-1 defeat by Chelsea on Saturday.
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Manager Roy Hodgson is a fan, saying last week: “Everyone has taken to him and is appreciative of him and what he can do, so it’s nice that we have been able to have him with us in a situation where a vacancy has occurred because we have had quite enough senior players out of the squad to not be able to fill out our 20-man quota.
“I am very pleased with him, I’m very pleased for him, we believe at Crystal Palace that he has a big future and that he will get better and better.”
What has been said?
Rak-Sakyi told Palace’s club website: “It’s a very big moment in my life, something I have been working towards since I started playing football and I’m just happy and grateful that I’ve come this far. I just want to keep pushing on.”
Paddy McCarthy, Palace’s Academy U18 manager, said: “Jes is an example for the rest of the players because he’s had to work really hard to improve areas of his development and deal with disappointments of not being in the team.
“He’s knuckled down and seen the fruits of his labour and I think that’s an example to all the young players we have here. Now, Jes has to maintain that and keep focused.”
Chairman Steve Parish added: “I’m delighted for Jesurun and his family, and signing his first pro contract is something to be celebrated.
“His recent performances really have been impressive. Jesurun has already had the opportunity to train regularly with the first-team, even securing a spot on the bench in our Premier League squad, and I sincerely hope that today’s news is one of many exciting milestones for Jesurun at Crystal Palace.”
Where can I find out more?
To read a full profile on Rak-Sakyi which explains exactly why Palace are so excited by his potential, Go Deeper with Dominic Fifield and Matt Woosnam below.
(Photo: Crystal Palace FC)