By Wale Mustapha
Nigerian midfielder Uche Chrisantus has described his deadline day transfer to Crystal Palace as “unbelievable,” after sealing a season-long loan switch from LaLiga side Getafe.
The deal, completed in the final hours of the transfer window, includes an obligation to buy at the end of the season, underlining Palace’s long-term faith in the 22-year-old.
Speaking to the club’s official website after the announcement, an elated Chrisantus said he was eager to embrace the challenge of Premier League football.
“This moment is unbelievable. I’m very lucky to be here today, and this club is a big opportunity for me,” he said.
“I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and the coaching staff, get used to life here, and make contributions to help us achieve success.”
The move represents a stunning rise for Chrisantus, who only three years ago was plying his trade in Spain’s fifth division.
After a breakthrough spell at Ceuta in the third tier, he earned a move to Getafe in 2024, where his performances quickly drew attention.
Now, the midfielder will aim to establish himself in England’s top flight as Palace continues to strengthen their squad for the season.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
