Michael Olise ‘ready’ for the Premier League with Crystal Palace

Michael Olise says he is excited about joining Crystal Palace and is ready to test himself on the Premier League stage.

The attacking midfielder has joined on a five-year contract from Reading. He is the first permanent arrival since Patrick Vieira was appointed as Eagles manager last weekend.

Olise told Palace TV: “It’s a big moment – Premier League football. It’s a great club and I’m very excited to be here. Good players, a good manager, so I’m ready to start.

“The Premier League is known to be the top league in the world, so it’s definitely going to be a lot tougher. But nothing that I’m not ready for.”

Olise has signed a five-year deal. Asked what drew him to SE25, he replied: “The players – great players. I had a conversation with the manager and he was talking about how he sees me in the team – the plans, the development and the vision for the club. It was a good fit. It’s a good Premier League team. It’s a team where you’re free to express yourself.”

When asked if playing under Vieira was a big pull for the 19-year-old in his decision to sign for the South Londoners, Olise replied: “Definitely.”

He notched up an impressive seven goals and 12 assists in the Championship for Reading last campaign and picked up the EFL Young Player of Season. Olise said: “It was my main season where I was contributing to the team and helping with our fight. That season was a good one.”

Asked about his ambitions for the season, Olise, who will wear the number seven shirt at Palace, said: “To push. To win as many games and see where that takes us.”

PICTURE: cpfc.co.uk/Seb Frej