Exclusive: Crystal Palace agree compensation deal with Millwall for teenage striker
Crystal Palace have paid compensation to Millwall after signing 13-year-old striker Zion Atta.
The Eagles are expected to pay a guaranteed sum in the region of £60,000 for the teenager, who had spent five years on the books with the Lions.
There is a possibility of additional future fees and a sell-on clause should he go on to make appearances at senior level.
The teenager left Millwall in June but they retained compensation rights. He had trials with Manchester United, Chelsea and Brighton but Palace opted to do a deal after Atta featured in a trial match.
Atta – a tall and physical striker – is likely to play up an age group with Darren Powell’s U15 side.
He follows U23 midfielder Kian Flanagan, signed as a 13-year-old from Southend in 2013 for a fee of around £37,000, and U18 defensive midfielder Malachi Boateng in being brought to Palace’s academy for a fee in recent years.
Manchester City signed Millwall midfielder Darko Gyabi in November – with the 14-year-old’s compensation package potentially worth up to £1million.