Our picks

Crystal Palace: academy star signs professional contract ushering in a new era at Selhurst

Late last week David Omilabu signed his first professional contract with the club at just 18 years of age. He has been on Crystal Palace’s books since he was just eight years old, albeit for a short year-long intermission.

Over the past year, Crystal Palace attained category one academy status and have begun developing a new, elite academy centre. Both of these things have contributed to the retention of Omilabu, amongst several others before him and, hopefully, a plethora of talent to come.

A midfielder-turned-striker, Omilabu has toiled tirelessly in the Palace academy to complement his natural striker’s instinct and an incredible self-belief that has been prevalent since the age of 12. It was at this age that he re-joined the Palace academy after being released just over a year prior while playing for the under-12s. He then began a trial with Fulham, on which he lined up against his friends, then foes, in the Palace academy. The Englishman scored a hattrick and was immediately offered a spot in the Palace academy by his former coach, which he duly accepted.

His progress since his return has not been all sunshines and rainbows, but he managed to catch the eyes of club chairman Steve Parish last year. His capabilities were fully made known to onlookers during his under-16s campaign where he notched a humble 46 goals from 23 starts.

Then a rather quiet couple of seasons ensued with the under-18s. But Omilabu has shone for that age category this season under coach, and former Palace centre-back, Paddy McCarthy. His nine goals from 12 starts in a table-topping under-18s side earned him a promotion to the under-23s where he has contributed a goal and an assist in his two appearances thus far.

His infectious smile and natural goal-scoring ability will endear him to the Palace supporters. As will his origin. Omilabu’s home until he was nine years old was just a few streets away from Selhurst Park in Croydon and he has been raised locally in South London until now.

Which is an upbringing that is not too dissimilar from Crystal Palace regulars Tyrick Mitchell, Nathaniel Clyne and, of course, Wilfried Zaha. All three of these players boast a similar locality with the added success of transitioning to the Premier League from Palace’s academy. This could have been a point of discussion when Omilabu made a cameo appearance in first-team training a few weeks ago.

The signing of his contract came just a week after 20-year-old defender Reece Hannam signed a contract extension until 2023. The under-23s regular has appeared on the bench multiple times over the last few weeks, making him the youngest player to feature in a Roy Hodgson matchday squad in the league this season. However, he may have to wait for an injury before his debut considering the recent form of the defenders ahead of him.

Other South London locals to have signed before Omilabu include a trio of 17-year-olds. Left-back Tayo Adaramola, midfielder Jadan Raymond and forward Fionn Mooney.

The new category one academy status that Palace boast has allowed them to fend off larger – and much wealthier – clubs for the signatures of their new graduates and secure academy talent. The likes of Arsenal, unnamed Serie A big-hitters and North London Premier League clubs have all failed to beat Palace to the signatures of prospects. This list includes those previously mentioned, amongst others, such as Alfie Matthews.

Another season of Premier League football has been secured for Palace, with the club realistically safe from relegation on 38 points. But an interesting summer looms with 10 first-team players out of contract. However, with the growing stature of the academy and the securing of some serious local talent, the chance for a new Crystal Palace era is on the horizon.

If Palace can continue to churn out satisfactory results in the Premier League, while producing profitable and first-team-worthy academy talent, the long-term stability and prognosis of the club looks incredibly promising.

90MAAT News Now

Premier League Table

90MAAT Social Media

ScoopDragon Football News Network

Search The Site