Crystal Palace's teenage Nigerian forward receives his first Premier League call-up 

Teenage Nigerian forward Asher Agbinone received his first Premier League call-up as Crystal Palace forced Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The 18-year-old was named in the matchday 20 but was not utilized off the bench by manager Oliver Glasner. 

He was the second teenager of Nigerian descent to be named in the Eagles matchday squad, joining Franco Umeh-Chibueze, who was on the bench for the sixth time in a Premier League game.

Agbinone was promoted to the first team on a temporary basis on the back of his outstanding performances for Palace's youth teams.

His impressive performances for the youth teams secured him a spot in the first-team's pre-season squad that toured the United States and he was on target in a 3-1 win versus Wolves in Maryland.

He joined Crystal Palace at U9 level, progressing through the youth team ranks to make his Premier League 2 debut off the bench against Leicester City in February 2024.

Agbinone put pen to paper on a scholarship deal before the start of the 2022-2023 season, before signing his first professional contract in October 2022.

Capabale of playing anywhere across the front three, he tallied fifteen goals in 32 matches in the U18 Premier League before earning promotion to the development squad on a full-time basis. 

Crystal Palace came from behind to earn a share of the spoils against Chelsea, thanks to 2017 Super Eagles invitee Eberechi Eze, whose stunning 53rd-minute curler canceled out Nicolas Jackson's first half opener.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: cpfc.co.uk

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