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.
26ChrisRichards
out on loan
Def
Defender
Date of Birth
28.03.0028 March 2000
Country
Joined Team
27.07.2227 July 2022
Awards & Honours
IFFHS Men's World Youth Team
2020
Crystal Palace Player of the Month
January 2023
PFA Community Champion
2023/24
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.
Richards highlights
View All Videos- 01:38
Players visit school for black history month
- 01:34
Richards chats after clean sheet and point v Man Utd
- 04:49
London Life with Chris Richards and Matt Turner
- 01:09
Chris Richards reflects on home defeat
- 03:42
First Pitch at the Orioles | Chris Cam
- 00:54
Crystal Palace FC 24/25 Home Kit | 100 Years of Selhurst Park
- 01:35
Aimee Everett and Chris Richards on being named PFA Community Champions
- 01:52
Chris Richards reacts to ‘aggressive’ attacking performance
- 02:59
Goal of the Month Contenders: February 2024
- 16:48
Extended Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-0 Burnley | Palace TV+
- 108:04
The Full 90 | Crystal Palace v Burnley | PalaceTV+
- 02:17
Chris Richards relives his first Palace goal
- 03:10
2 minute highlights: Crystal Palace 3-0 Burnley
- 02:22
Chris Richards on the home defeat to Chelsea
- 00:00
Super Bowl shopping with Chris Richards & David Ozoh