Malcolm Ebiowei to sign five year deal with Crystal palace today after completing medical

FORMER Golden Eaglet Malcolm Ebiowei has completed his Crystal Palace medicals during the week and is now set to put pen to paper on a five-year contract that will see him committed to Selhurst Park until 2027.

Ebiowei, 18, who was named in Nigeria's provisional squad for the 2019 U17 World Cup, is a former Queens Park Rangers and Arsenal academy player. He spent last season playing for Derby County in the English Championship but now that his contract has expired, he can leave the club on a free transfer.

A fascinating winger, Ebiowei was a transfer interest for Manchester United but chose to move to Palace instead where he will be surrounded by compatriots Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze. Super Eagles midfielder, Joe Aribo is also a reported transfer interest for Crystal Palace but the player said nothing concrete has been agreed with any club so far.

It is surprising to learn that Ebiowei rejected a move to Old Trafford as Manchester United was unlikely to give him any playing time. He would most likely have been sent out on loan, so his handlers calculated that it is better to play for a lower team regularly and get to improve consistently than to be shipped out on yearly loan to lower divisions.

Also, the glamour of playing for top clubs is highly underrated in football as it brings much recognition and popularity to young players, which could derail their focus and determination. A lot of promising players have faded because they could not handle the popularity that came with playing for a big club.

Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are also credited with an interest in Ebiowei following his encouraging performances last season. A versatile player who can feature both as a plays as a striker and as a winger, Ebiowei is eligible to play for England, the Netherlands and Nigeria.