Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Nigerian midfielder Christantus Uche from Getafe.
The 22-year-old joins on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy for €20 million.
Uche arrives at Selhurst Park after two seasons with Getafe, where he made 41 appearances, scoring five goals and providing eight assists.
His rise has been remarkable—he left Nigeria for Europe in 2022 to join Spanish fifth-tier side Moralo CP, then moved to third-division club AD Ceuta a year later.
In 2024, Ceuta sold him to Getafe for just €800. Thanks to a 20% sell-on clause, Ceuta are now set to earn around €2.5 million from his transfer to Crystal Palace.
Although the Nigerian international initially felt it was too soon to join a Premier League club, he was convinced after talks with Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who outlined the project and his role in the squad.
Uche also spoke with Getafe president Ángel Torres Sánchez, who urged him to accept the move, as the Spanish club needed funds to register players.
At Palace, Uche is expected to play a key role under Glasner, who often uses a 3-4-2-1 system.
Versatile and dynamic, he can feature both in midfield and as a striker.
Uche recently received his first competitive call-up to Nigeria’s squad for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.
Coach Eric Chelle is expected to hand him an important role as the Super Eagles look to move from fourth place in Group C with four matches remaining.
