Transfer: Crystal Palace Complete Signing of Millwall Prospect Romain Esse

Crystal Palace has signed 19-year-old Romain Esse from Millwall on a five-and-a-half year deal worth up to £14.5m, bolstering their squad with promising young talent.

Crystal Palace has secured the signature of promising teenager Romain Esse from Championship side Millwall. The 19-year-old joins the Premier League outfit on a five-and-a-half year deal, bolstering the Eagles' squad with fresh talent.

Esse had been making waves at Millwall, scoring five goals in 26 appearances for the Lions this season. His impressive performances caught the attention of Crystal Palace, who have invested in his potential with a reported transfer fee of £12 million, which could rise to £14.5 million with add-ons.

Although Esse has completed his move to Selhurst Park, he will not be available to face West Ham on Saturday, as the necessary paperwork was not completed in time to register him for the match.

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish expressed his enthusiasm for the club's latest signing, Romain Esse, saying: “Romain is the type of player who gets crowds off their seats - the type of player long associated with South London and Crystal Palace - and everyone at the club is looking forward to watching him shine on the pitch, and fulfil his exciting potential.”

Crystal Palace have signed Romain Esse from Millwall on a five-and-a-half-year deal 🤝pic.twitter.com/u7oNnAJCcv

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025

The Eagles have established a successful recruitment strategy in recent years, targeting young talent from the second tier. This approach has yielded impressive results, with players like Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton developing into England internationals after joining Palace from QPR and Blackburn, respectively. The club's proximity to Millwall, with Selhurst Park just eight miles from The Den, has likely facilitated the identification and acquisition of talented players like Esse.

Romain Esse = @premierleague ❤️💙#CPFC pic.twitter.com/zBIp59rF9B

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 18, 2025

Crystal Palace currently sits 15th in the Premier League, enjoying a comfortable eight-point cushion above the relegation zone. The addition of Esse to the squad is expected to provide a boost to the team's performance, as they seek to consolidate their position in the top flight and potentially make a push for a higher finish in the table.