Agbinone & Kporha presented with Premier League debut balls

Academy

4 hours ago

There is simply no moment prouder for an Academy, with teenage duo Asher Agbinone and Caleb Kporha – who both made their professional and Palace debuts earlier this season – presented with their Premier League debut balls.

Agbinone, 19-years-old, made his Premier League bow away to Nottingham Forest in October, whilst 18-year-old Kporha’s followed three weeks later in the closing stages of Palace’s match with Fulham at Selhurst Park.

Both players were quick to make an impression upon taking to the pitch for the first time in the Premier League, with Agbinone going on to earn a January loan move to League Two side Gillingham, and Kporha handed his first Palace start a month later in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at Arsenal.

A Debut Ball is given to all homegrown debutants who have been developed at an Academy of a club in the English football pyramid for three years or more prior to their 21st birthday. Each player receives an official match ball from the season of their debut, housed in a personalised, engraved case.

Returning to the Academy where they had trained since the ages of nine and 15 respectively, Agbinone and Kporha were presented with their Premier League debut balls by Academy Director, Gary Issott, in front of a crowd of coaches, teammates and colleagues.

Of the duo’s debuts, Issott said: “I’m immensely proud.

“I think the big thing with Asher was, when he got on the pitch, he played his game. I think that's a big marker, when players go through the levels, that they could potentially play at that level, and that he would be himself.

“Caleb is a player who came to us late in the system at 14, but his performance levels since he’s played full-time for us at the Academy have been excellent. He suffered a really tough season last year with two surgeries, but he’s showing now that he can play at this level.

“It means a lot to the supporters and to the staff that players from anywhere come through the Academy. South London is where we’re from, and for someone to come through, that’s a great achievement.”

Agbinone said: “My debut was a great feeling – it’s everything I expected, and I just enjoyed the moment, playing with such high-quality players in the best league in the world. It was the best feeling ever, so I just want to do it even more.

“All the staff, they've had a part to play. I've been at the Academy since I was nine up until now, so I'm just very grateful for everyone, and for everyone's support. This [debut ball] isn’t just mine – it’s everyone’s.”

Kporha added: “I’d like to say thank you to everyone – I’m very grateful for this opportunity – so thank you for everyone who's helped me to get here.”

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