'Deal Done': Crystal Palace forward seals Selhurst Park exit just before deadline
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Stoke City confirmed the arrival of the Crystal Palace forward just one hour before the transfer deadline on Monday.
Crystal Palace have managed to push through a late deal to send forward Jesurun Rak-Sakyi to Championship outfit Stoke City on a Deadline Day deal.
The Potters had emerged as frontrunners for the 23-year-old ahead of the weekend with Rak-Sakyi having also been linked with Swansea City and Celtic this month. The winger had been on loan at Turkish side Caykur Rizespor this season but was recalled in January.
The forward is a product of the Crystal Palace academy but has never really made an impact on the first team with just 10 goalless appearances to his name. Rak-Sakyi has enjoyed loan spells at Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns respectively.
Stoke City confirm Crystal Palace loan deal
Stoke City confirmed the loan deal on Monday evening, celebrating the coup of the ‘highly sought-after’ forward. The loan move is until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Sporting Director Jonathan Walters said: “Having identified Jesurun as a target prior to the January transfer window, we are now delighted to make him a Stoke City player for the season’s final third. He has provided goals and assists throughout his career to date, including in last season’s Championship for Sheffield United, when he was a standout forward player.
“The way he plays the game is exciting and direct, so I’m sure our supporters will quickly take to him and make him feel completely at home.”
Rak-Sakyi ‘delighted’ to secure Championship loan move
Rak-Sakyi said: “I’m delighted to finally become a Stoke City player and grateful to have this platform to play at such a big club with great ambitions.
“The club is in a good position, and we want to strive for more. I know the potential that I have and with the right support system around me and the right club like Stoke City, I believe I can showcase what I can do and help the team.”
Football Insider had claimed earlier this month that Swansea City agreed a deal to sign the player from Crystal Palace but that the move had fallen through with Rak-Sakyi unconvinced by the move to South Wales. Coventry City had also been linked with the player but instead ended up signing Romain Esse on loan from the Eagles.
In other news, Crystal Palace launch £20m last-minute bid to land attacker with a 'wand of a left foot'.