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Crystal Palace hand first professional contract to Nigeria youngster Dotun Lamidi
Crystal Palace have confirmed that Nigerian teenager Dotun Lamidi has signed his first professional contract with the club, securing his future in south London just two months before his 18th birthday.
Lamidi, who was born on 17 October 2008, joined Palace from Watford last summer after agreeing a scholarship deal with the club.
The defender enjoyed an encouraging first season with Crystal Palace and made 16 appearances for Javier Alonso’s history-making Under-18 side. He also recorded one assist during the campaign.
Crystal Palace’s official website describes Lamidi as a “dynamic left-sided player” capable of playing both as a winger and as a wide defender, highlighting his versatility across the left flank.
His first season with the Eagles ended with notable team success. Palace reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup and won the U18 Premier League Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
The new contract represents another important step in Lamidi’s development, with Palace rewarding a player who has quickly progressed since arriving from Watford.
Speaking after completing the agreement, Lamidi said: “I feel delighted. This is a new step for me, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. I’m not going to take it for granted – I’ll keep working hard every day.
“This is something that doesn’t happen to many players, so the fact it’s happened to me makes me incredibly happy.”
Lamidi’s progress also saw him included in the Crystal Palace U21s matchday squad for a Premier League 2 fixture away to Nottingham Forest towards the end of last season.
The teenager had previously been operating within Palace’s academy structure after joining on scholarship terms, but his first professional contract now places him on a new pathway within the club.
His ability to contribute in both attacking and defensive roles has been a feature of his development. Palace regard him as a player who can provide width as a winger while also filling a wide defensive position when required.
The contract comes after a season in which Lamidi was part of one of the most successful youth campaigns in Crystal Palace’s history. The club’s Under-18 team combined its run to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals with victory in the inaugural U18 Premier League Cup, giving the young defender valuable experience in high-level youth competition.
Lamidi will now continue his development with the Palace academy, having already made the step up to involvement with the club’s Under-21 squad. His progression from Watford scholarship player to professional Crystal Palace player has taken place within a year of his arrival at Selhurst Park.
