Done deal: Crystal Palace sign off on permanent midfielder deal as goodbye message sent
Crystal Palace have confirmed the departure of Naouirou Ahamada, almost three years after he arrived from Stuttgart.
It is expected to be a busy January transfer window at Selhurst Park, with Palace already signing Brennan Johnson from Tottenham.
The winger was signed for a club-record £35million, with the Eagles now set to fend off interest in their own talents.
Manchester City are set to make a move for Marc Guehi this month, amid an injury crisis in Pep Guardiola‘s defence.
Should he stay put this month, Guehi will leave Palace at the end of his contract in the summer, and will have the pick of his next destination.
Crystal Palace wave goodbye to Naouirou Ahamada
Ahamada cost Palace around £10million when they signed him in 2023 – a call that decision-makers at Selhurst Park must regret massively.
The midfielder had looked promising in the Bundesliga, scoring twice and providing a couple of assists for Stuttgart in the first half of the 2022-23 season.
| Naouirou Ahamada | Bundesliga 2022-23 |
| Appearances | 17 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Successful dribbles | 20 |
| Duels won | 61 |
Technically proficient and talented, scouts identified the France youth international as a promising addition to Palace’s midfield.
But his January arrival was marred within a few months, when Ahamada suffered an ankle issue that effectively ended his season.
He would stay with the Eagles for the 2023-24 campaign, making brief appearances off the bench and getting sent off in a match against Wolves in his final game of the season.
Last season, Ahamada was sent out on a disastrous loan to Stade Rennais, where he made just five appearances across the season.
On Wednesday, Palace finally confirmed the midfielder’s permanent departure to French club AJ Auxerre.
“Everyone at Crystal Palace wishes Naouirou the best of luck with the next chapter of his career,” the club wrote in a statement.
Ahamada will have to put dreams on hold
Hopes had been high for Ahamada, but a mix of injuries and poor form have seen his career prospects plummet in the last two years.
Speaking in 2024, he told Palace’s matchday programme that his dream had been to play in the Premier League.
“Then, I heard about Crystal Palace’s interest in December [2022],” he said. “It was a huge source of pride for me – it was my biggest dream to play in the Premier League, so when I heard they wanted me, I didn’t hesitate, to be honest.”
He will have to do it in France for now, but at just 23, Ahamada still has plenty of time to prove he still possesses the talent that convinced Palace to spend £10m on him.