The rumour mill had been big on the now former Queens Park Rangers star moving on to pastures new and thankfully, Palace had been able to secure the deal ahead of plenty of other suitors.
His arrival follows that of Nathan Ferguson and goes to prove that the strategy taken by the club going into this window was very different to that of previous transfer windows.
It has been no secret Roy Hodgson has been working with an ever aging squad but the early signs are that adding a blend of youth to that same squad is the immediate solution and part of a bigger plan.
Ferguson was a much needed addition in a problem position for Palace which has already been covered here on TEB, but that is not to discredit the fantastic job done by Joel Ward last season – what would have done without the dependable defender who has been at the club for eight years?
Eze is a very different addition – an exciting player, and one that could do a lot of damage to opposition defences. Having spoken to Paul Finney from the excellent QPR Pod, it is clear that Palace have a potential star on their hands;
“First of all, we would like to say that the transfer came out of the blue and was a real shock for all QPR fans. Sadly for us, once Eze scored that wonder goal away at Stoke City at the start of the season we knew it would be his last campaign at Rangers.
The lad arrived at Loftus Road after Millwall let him go. We did not know much about him but in weeks of him being at the club and making his first team debut, there were many that suggested that we could have a real gem on our hands. They were right, just a few years down the line we have witnessed one of the brightest talents to depart the club in years.
As a player Eze has a silky touch, a deadly finish and most of all, he enjoys playing the game. I know that sounds daft these days but you can tell he loves the game unlike many kids making their way into the game these days. He plays with a smile and almost like a player from the seventies he has an almost beautiful elegance about him like his touch, vision and control of the ball.
If you want a honest opinion as a football fan you have a world class player on your hands. If he shows anything like he did for us, you will just love seeing him play. I would not be shocked to see him get a international cap this season, I just wish he was Northern Irish!
Take a look at his goals this past season for QPR and you will see how good he is. Just watch our final game away at WBA – he was outstanding and also shows what he is all about and that is putting the smile on the faces of fans again. One final thing I will say is that some will look at him and think his style is odd at times, but don’t be fooled, he has a god given talent.
As a person we have had him join us on the podcast and he is level headed and smart, no sign of any ego or arrogance, just a smashing lad who’s smile never leaves his face. We will miss him and you are a lucky club to have him.”
Our thanks to Paul for what I am sure you will agree are very satisfying comments to read about the exciting new addition to the Palace ranks. If what he has said is anything to go by, then we are going to be entertained.
Not only that, the signings of Ferguson and Eze alone being made from Championship clubs is very satisfying indeed. We have had plenty of success in that area in the past and it is something that we may be looking to return to going forward as the revamp of the squad continues.
