Super Eagles youngster Christantus Uche has completed a deadline-day move to Crystal Palace from Getafe in a deal worth around €20 million.
The 22-year-old midfielder becomes the second Nigerian to play for Palace after Victor Moses, joining the London club despite his desire to remain in Spain.
Uche featured for Getafe on Friday, August 29, but his future has now been decided in dramatic fashion with just hours left in the summer window.
Christantus Uche & Getafe reluctant, Wolves collapse and Milan’s hijack attempt
Palace turned to the former Nigeria U-23 international after striking an agreement with Getafe late on Sunday, sealing a transfer that had initially looked destined to collapse.
The midfielder had been at the centre of one of the most dramatic sagas of deadline day. Wolves were frontrunners earlier in the week, even scheduling a medical, before Uche pulled the plug on the deal because he wanted to continue in La Liga. AC Milan held ambitions for a late swoop.
For their part, Getafe never intended to lose the player, but financial pressures left them with little choice.
The sale ensures the club can register Harold Moukoudi, Sancris, Kiko Femenía, Abqar, Juanmi and Javi Muñoz before the registration window closed.
Christantus Uche’s move means he is unlikely to link up with the Super Eagles squad in Uyo on Monday ahead of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Rwanda.
