‘Great opportunity’ – Crystal Palace clinch deal for Chelsea defender Marc Guehi

Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Marc Guehi from Chelsea on a five-year deal.

The 21-year-old centre-back has spent the last season-and-a-half on loan at Championship side Swansea City. He played 59 games and twice helped them reach the play-offs..

Guehi told Palaca TV: “I’m very excited. It’s a great opportunity for me to come to such a big club in the Premier League. I’m really excited to get going.

“[The club is taking] a really exciting direction with the new gaffer that’s come in. A lot of good young players are here and obviously such a stable club with top players really enticed me and made me want to come.”

Chairman Steve Parish added: “We’re delighted to have signed Marc for Crystal Palace. He’s an exciting talent and one we believe will be a valuable addition to the squad as we build towards the coming season.”

Guehi began his youth career with Bromley-based Cray Wanderers before being scouted for Chelsea at U8 level.

He won the treble with the Blues’ U18s in 2016-17. He signed his first professional contract in September 2017 and helped Chelsea scoop the quadruple – including the FA Youth Cup and league – that same season.

He made his first-team debut in Chelsea’s 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town, before completing his first loan switch to Swansea in January 2019, returning for a full season in summer 2020. Guehi reached the play-offs in both seasons with the Swans but the Welsh side could not secure promotion on either occasion.

Internationally, Guehi has represented England at all levels between U16 and U21, and captained the Young Lions to the U17 European Championship final in 2017.  Guehi scored in England’s victorious U17 World Cup final. He has won 11 caps for England U21s.
PICTURE: SEB FREJ/cpfc.co.uk