Palace clinch deadline day moves for Arsenal and Stuttgart midfielders

Crystal Palace have sealed January transfer deadline day moves for Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga and Stuttgart midfielder Naouirou Ahamada.

The Eagles signed French U18 midfielder Naouirou Ahamada on a three-and-a-half-year deal – with an option for a further two years – in a deal worth just under £10million.

Ahamada has made 17 appearances in all competitions this season for the Bundesliga side.

Marseille-born Ahamada progressed through Juventus’ academy, with Stuttgart initially signing the midfielder on a six-month loan spell.

The Reds signed Ahamada on a permanent deal at the end of the loan deal in the summer.

“I’m very happy to have joined this club. It is an amazing club, and I’m very excited to get started,” said the 20-year-old.

“I want to show my quality, and I want to help this team with my quality. I want to play games, work hard, train hard and progress, and help the team.”

The South Londoners have signed Lokonga on loan for the rest of the season from Arsenal.

Lokonga, 23, has made 15 appearances this season in all competitions under Mikel Arteta and has been kept out of the side in the Premier League since the 3-1 over Spurs in October.

Belgian international Lokonga has made 39 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal since signing from Anderlecht in a deal worth around the £17million mark.