Crystal Palace decided against signing Ajax ace as a youngster along with Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient

Crystal Palace are among a host of clubs who have turned down the chance to sign Ajax defender Calvin Bassey in the past. The 23-year-old now finds himself playing in the Eredivisie.

He spent time in the academy at Leicester City from 2015 to 2020 after first playing in the CM Futsal Academy. The Italy-born had a variety of different trial spells in London before joining the Foxes.

Bassey has told Ajax TV (via AllNigerianSoccer) : “I went on trial to Leyton Orient twice, got rejected. I went on trial to Charlton, got rejected. I went to Crystal Palace. I was at Wolves and they were like not sure.”

Rangers signed him from the Foxes and he went on to become a key player with the Glasgow giants. He made 65 appearances in all competitions and helped them reach the Europa League final last year. However, the Gers were beaten by Eintracht Frankfurt in Sevilla.

He was a man in-demand last summer and was linked with a switch to the Premier League with Crystal Palace mentioned. However, it was Ajax who won the race for his signature for a fee of around £20million.

Bassey has since been a hit in Amsterdam and has played 27 times altogether. His side are in European action this evening against Bundesliga title hopefuls Union Berlin.

Crystal Palace missed a trick by not signing the centre-back back in the day. He is proving the Eagles and other clubs like Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient wrong these days.