Crystal Palace FC's first-ever major European adventure is underway, as we battle to win the UEFA Conference League. Find out how you can join us on our journey.

European Tour

## Born in the USA

> After a remarkable two-year journey from Alabama to Bayern Munich, Chris Richards fulfilled a lifelong dream when he moved to the Premier League with Crystal Palace in 2022.

Born in Alabama, USA, Richards began his career near Houston before joining F.C. Dallas’ Academy and earning a professional contract there.

He moved to Houston and then Dallas aged 16 – both over 600 miles from his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, where his parents still live – and initially lived alone with a host family. He then made the even larger jump of joining Bayern Munich aged 18, where he learnt fluent German and made his senior debut shortly after signing.

From here Richards’ rise was swift: he made his senior debut in a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in 2018, his professional debut with Bayern Munich II in 2019, and his full Bayern debut in June 2020. A few months later he featured as a substitute in the German side’s DFL-Supercup win over Borussia Dortmund.

The young defender went on to represent Bayern in the Bundesliga and Champions League before joining 1899 Hoffenheim on loan in 2021. He has played a total of 82 professional matches.

Richards began his international career early, too, competing with the US Under-20s to win the CONCACAF U20 Championship aged 18. His performances at this level earned him a senior debut in November 2020, coming on as a substitute against Panama. Richards has since amassed seven further caps.

He made his debut for the Eagles at Anfield as a second-half substitute in August 2022. Richards went on to make his first start for the club, after a leg injury, in January 2023 in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Selhurst Park.

Commenting on his first start he said: “It was worth the wait! Being able to make it \[my first Premier League start\] at home, especially in a game like tonight, was amazing."

His performances against Manchester United home and away, along with keeping a clean sheet against Newcastle United, saw him win the club's Player of the Month award in January 2023.

Richards' first domestic season in red and blue ended with 10 appearances in total, however he also managed to score his first international goal in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League against Canada to guide the United States to a 2-0 win.

The 2023/24 campaign saw Richards establish more of a place in the side, playing multiple roles as a centre-back, defensive midfielder and even as a right-back. He racked up 30 appearances in total, and scored his first goal against Burnley in a 3-0 win at Selhurst Park in February 2024.

Richards also found CONCACAF Nations League success once more, winning the title again in a 2-0 win over Mexico in March 2024. He was also recognised for his exceptional work with the Palace for Life Foundation - winning the PFA Community Champion award.

In 2024/25, Richards made 32 appearances across all competitions - six of which were in the FA Cup, where he played every single minute on the way to making history in the final against Manchester City.

2020

IFFHS Men's World Youth Team

January 2023

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

2023/24

PFA Community Champion

Richards

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Richards reflects on Mostar

Richards reflects on 100th Palace appearance

CPFC x SunExpress aircraft livery

Chris Richards Previews Fulham

The best of our Defenders | Brighton (H)

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Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 1-1 Millwall

The Full 90: Crystal Palace v Millwall | Palace TV+

Chris speaks on win against Millwall

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Fa Cup Final | Chris Richards & Matt Turner | Post Match Interview

Richards praises team spirit

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Crystal Palace

UEFA Conference League

AEK Larnaca

AEK Arena

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- **[How to watch & follow Thursday's Round of 16 second leg](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/information/tv-information-how-to-follow-our-trip-to-aek-larnaca/).**
- **[Hear from Oliver Glasner and Jørgen Strand Larsen here](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/first-team/strand-larsen-glasner-on-hopes-for-second-leg-in-cyprus/).**

Crystal Palace are facing AEK Larnaca in Cyprus for a place in the last eight of the UEFA Conference League – and you can enjoy the best of the matchday images below!

Matchday Gallery: Eagles tackle Larnaca at AEK Arena

AEK Larnaca v Crystal Palace (2026-03-19)

Glasner makes two changes from the XI that started against Leeds with **Adam Wharton** and **Daichi Kamada** returning to the midfield engine room.

Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma are on the bench, while **Brennan Johnson** is set to continue at wing-back. **Maxence Lacroix** will skipper the team.

As revealed by Glasner yesterday, Eagles captain Dean Henderson remains absent as he recovers from the illness that saw him miss the draw against Leeds.

That means **Benítez** will be between the posts. It will be the Argentine’s third UEFA Conference League start of the season, after he featured against Shelbourne and KuPS in the league phase.

The back three are unchanged, with Lacroix wearing the armband this evening. 

There is a first appearance in the first-team matchday squad for goalkeeper Jackson Izquierdo who has featured regularly at Under-21 level this season.

Larnaca make just one change from the first leg with Petros Ioannou replacing Jorge Miramon. 

The tie remains 0-0 on aggregate after last week’s first leg at Selhurst Park. An outcome will be reached on the night, with extra-time and penalties a possibility.

The winner will face either Fiorentina or Raków Częstochowa in the quarter-finals, with the Italian side 2-1 up after the first leg.

**Palace:** Benítez (GK), Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Johnson, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Guessand, Strand Larsen.

**Subs:** Matthews (GK), Izquierdo (GK), Clyne, Riad, Sosa, Muñoz, Lerma, Cardines, Hughes, Devenny, Pino, Mateta.

**AEK Larnaca:** Alomerovic (GK), Godswill, Milicevic, Saborit, Garcia, Ioannou, Pons, Ledes, Rohden, Bajic, Ivanovic.

**Subs:** Paraskevas (GK), Demetriou (GK), Rubio, Gurfinkel, Kyriakou, Roberge, Cabrera, Mudrazija, Loukaidis, Gonzalez.

### **Match Details**

**AEK Larnaca v Crystal Palace**

- **Thursday, 19th March**
- **17:45 GMT / 19:45 EET local time**
- **AEK Arena**
- **UEFA Conference League play-off round, second leg**
- **[Live audio commentary on Palace TV+](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/).**

Manager Oliver Glasner has named his Palace side to face AEK Larnaca this evening with Daniel Muñoz on the bench, while Walter Benítez is in goal.

Team News: Two changes for Palace in Cyprus

Follow live from AEK Arena

Matchday Gallery: Eagles tackle Larnaca at AEK Arena

Team News: Two changes for Palace in Cyprus

Shop Palace Shirts

26Chris
Richards

Follow live from AEK Arena

Matchday Gallery: Eagles tackle Larnaca at AEK Arena

Team News: Two changes for Palace in Cyprus

Shop Palace Shirts

26ChrisRichards

26Chris
Richards