Midfielder reveals on Twitter he has agreed deal after quitting Tottenham
By Harry Sykes
Midfield sensation Nya Kirby has joined Crystal Palace after quitting Tottenham, it has been confirmed.
Palace revealed on their official website that the highly rated youngster has signed a professional contract with the club after celebrating his 17th birthday.
The deal has been agreed after he had already made five appearances for the Premier League outfit’s development side this season.
Kirby, a central midfielder who has earned rave reviews for his performances in youth-team football, was on the books of Tottenham until last year and even posted a picture on his personal Twitter account in December of himself in the club’s kit.
But he quit the north Londoners after his head was reportedly turned by Spurs’ big rivals Chelsea.
The Times claim the north Londoners blocked the transfer of the academy product to Chelsea amid fury at their antics and “threatened to report their London rivals for tapping up” Kirby after learning of his plan to move to Stamford Bridge.
It is said that Chelsea “subsequently backed off and cancelled the transfer” to avoid being reported to the Premier League for making an illegal approach.
Kirby was left without a club and reportely had a trial at Arsenal before Palace applied to the Premier League to register him.
Kirby’s move to Palace has now gone through, although he has been playing regularly for Richard Shaw’s development squad.
The row further increases the bad blood between historically bitter rivals Tottenham and Chelsea.
Spurs recently questioned the dual role of Chelsea coach Steve Holland in the senior England set-up amid fears he could have access to information about their players’ fitness and medical records.
Chelsea have opened up a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League and are strong favourites to win the title this season.
Spurs have emerged as the closest challengers to Antonio Conte’s side ahead of their trip to Liverpool on Saturday evening.
In other Tottenham news, Daniel Levy has lined up the next Spurs arrival as the deal is all but done.
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