Crystal Palace set to agree four-year deal with Caleb Kporha to end free transfer speculation

Evening Standard

·28. März 2025

Crystal Palace set to agree four-year deal with Caleb Kporha to end free transfer speculation

The teenager made his Premier League debut against Fulham earlier this season

Teenage talent: Caleb Kporha was called up to the England U-19 side this month

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Crystal Palace are closing in on agreeing a new four-year contract for Caleb Kporha.

The 18-year-old right wing-back was due to become a free agent this summer, but the Eagles have moved to tie him down to a new long-term contract.

Standard Sport understands that Dougie Freedman — the outgoing sporting director whose final day of employment is Monday — was particularly keen on keeping the teenager at Palace.

Kporha has had some interest from abroad. However, despite some reports saying he had decided to leave the club as a free agent in July, it was always his and Palace’s preference for him to sign a new contract and stay with the Eagles.

The Palace academy graduate made his first-team debut in the Premier League against Fulham in November, before starting in the Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates a month later.

Kporha has just been away with the England Under-19s this month, and made his debut in a 0-0 draw with Turkey in Deeside on Saturday.

The Kent-born youngster has made Palace’s matchday squad at senior level 16 times this season and could be involved for Oliver Glasner’s side when they face London rivals Fulham in Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Craven Cottage.