Crystal Palace youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi signs first professional deal
BY SAM SMITH
Highly-rated Crystal Palace youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has signed his first professional contract, the club has confirmed.
The winger has impressed in the Eagles’ academy sides this season and was named on the first team substitutes’ bench for the first time in Saturday’s 4-1 defeat against Chelsea.
His signing puts an end to vast interest from domestic and European clubs.
Rak-Sakyi, 18, signed from the Blues aged 16 and has scored six goals and assisted a further four across 12 appearances for the U18s this term. He has also scored once in three games for the U23s.
The two-year contract is the longest length that terms can be at this stage. He becomes the fifth member of the club’s promising U18 group to sign a professional deal, following David Omilabu, Tayo Adaramola, Fionn Mooney and Jadan Raymond.
Rak-Sakyi told Palace TV: “It’s a very big moment in my life, something I have been working towards since I started playing football and I’m just happy and grateful that I’ve come this far. I just want to keep pushing on.”
U18s boss Paddy McCarthy said: “Jes is an example for the rest of the players because he’s had to work really hard to improve areas of his development and deal with disappointments of not being in the team.
“He’s knuckled down and seen the fruits of his labour and I think that’s an example to all the young players we have here. Now, Jes has to maintain that and keep focused.”
Steve Parish, club chairman, continued: “I’m delighted for Jesurun and his family, and signing his first pro contract is something to be celebrated.
“His recent performances really have been impressive. Jesurun has already had the opportunity to train regularly with the first-team, even securing a spot on the bench in our Premier League squad, and I sincerely hope that today’s news is one of many exciting milestones for Jesurun at Crystal Palace.”
PICTURE: SEB FREJ FOR CPFC