The end of January proved another busy week for the Crystal Palace Academy as the transfer window drew to a close – check out all the key news from the club’s youth set-up in the new weekly round-up below.
After a strong start to the season in Paddy McCarthy’s Under-23s side, centre-forward Rob Street has headed to the Welsh coast to join Newport County on loan until the end of the season.
Having scored six goals in 14 Premier League 2 games this season, he has the chance to gain valuable experience of senior football as the League Two side strive for promotion, currently sitting in third place.
Also heading out on loan are young full-backs Danny Imray and Dylan Thiselton, who joined Chelmsford and Farnborough respectively. Both will have a chance to gain valuable experience in senior men’s football, with Imray returning to his former club while Thiselton will look to support Farnborough in their push for the Southern Premier League title push.
Finally, Luke Dreher has joined local neighbours Bromley for the remainder of their National League campaign. The midfielder made his professional debut for Palace in a Premier League game in 2020, having won the club’s Under-18s Player of the Season award in the past.
He will join former Palace Academy graduate Andy Woodman, who has guided the Bromley towards a promotion push as they look at reach the Football League for the first time in the club’s history.
Street, Thiselton, Imray and Dreher follow James Taylor and Jake O’Brien, who achieved loan moves to Tonbridge Angels and Swindon Town respectively earlier in the window.
Development goalkeeper Ollie Webber has joined Portsmouth on a permanent basis, after six years in south London. The Northern-Irishman arrived at Palace from Glentoran in 2016, and won the league with the Under-18s in 2017/18.
Last season he was a crucial part of the Under-23s' promotion-winning campaign, keeping a clean-sheet in the play-off final as the young Eagles won on penalties.
Everyone at the club wishes Ollie all the best with the next step in his career.
There’s no end to the attention given to Academy players in the modern game, but one aspect can often be overlooked: education. We spoke to the man in charge of developing the players’ academic side, the Academy Head of Education Rowan Griffiths, as he spoke in-depth about his role at the club.
“There’s no such thing as a dumb footballer,” he explained, as he revealed the challenges of taking A-Levels via Zoom, taking language lessons for loan moves and finding a healthy distraction to the rigours of top-level football.
As part of their continued education at the Academy, the Under-18s side took part in Holocaust Memorial Day by hearing from former Rwanda goalkeeper Eric Murangwa Eugene.
Murangwa and his family were survivors of the 1994 Tutsi genocide in Rwanda, after a soldier recognised him from keeping goal for Rayon Sports, a notable football club. “In that moment, football saved my life,” he told the side.
Palace have enhanced their wide-ranging care programme for players aged 18-23 that are released from the club.
A dedicated Player Care Officer will be in contact with all affected players for an extended period of time, as we support them on their journey - typically helping them find a new club, education programme or a job.
“We have a duty and moral obligation to nurture and guide all the 200+ players within our care,” said Chairman Steve Parish. “Whatever their path is, we want to offer our support to them to help them achieve success.”
Two big Academy clashes await for the youth sides this weekend as they travel to north London.
The Under-18s face Tottenham Hotspur, as they look to keep the pressure on Chelsea in the title race. Rob Quinn’s side currently sit in fifth place but just four points off the top with a game in hand, and can close the gap with victory on Saturday, 5th February (11:00 GMT).
Spurs also await for the Under-23s on Monday, 7th February (12:00 GMT). Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and co. have made a solid start to life in the top division of Premier League 2, but will look to get back to winning ways after defeat to Liverpool last time out.
You'll be able to watch this game live via Palace TV+ - find out more details here.
