Crystal Palace promote Nigeria-eligible teenage goalkeeper Owen Goodman to first team

NIGERIA-eligible teenage goalkeeper Owen Goodman has been promoted to the first team of English Premier League side Crystal Palace from their U21 squad by manager Patrick Viera ahead of this weekend's match against Leeds United.

Goodman, 18, is eligible to represent Nigeria, Canada and England at international level and the Nigerian Football Federation will no doubt be watching his development closely. He was the Palace U21 goalkeeper but manager Viera has been impressed enough with his performance to include him in the squad for tomorrow's home game against Leeds.

Palace have even posted pictures of Goodman training with the first team at the club's Copers Cope training ground alongside compatriots Malcolm Ebiowei, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise. Goodman had previously trained with Crystal Palace's first team during pre-season preparations but was not named in the squad which later travelled to Singapore and Australia.

Since the start of the season, however, he has established himself as Crystal Palace U21s number one goalkeeper, having started each of their last seven games, keeping two clean sheets while conceding just nine goals.  Goodman signed his first professional contract with Crystal Palace in July 2021.