This post has been merged from a topic called 'Erdal Rakip (Signed on loan)' by Midlands Eagle

[Instagram Link]

Swedish under-21 international midfielder Erdal Rakip has joined Crystal Palace on loan from Benfica until the end of the season.
The 21-year-old central midfielder moved to the Portuguese capital from Malmo earlier this month and Roy Hodgson’s first signing of this transfer window sees Rakip make a temporary switch to south London.

A product of Malmo’s academy, Rakip joined the club aged five and debuted for his hometown team in 2013. He played 120 times in total, and has played a key role in the Sky Blues’ recent dominance picking up four Allsvenskan winners medals in his five seasons in the first-team and even played 16 times in the UEFA Champions League.

Rakip holds dual Swedish and Macedonian nationality, and has Turkish and Albanian origins.

He also has 11 caps for the Swedish under-21 side, scoring once, having helped his nation to a third-place finish at the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2013.

Interview:

New Crystal Palace signing Erdal Rakip is delighted to have the opportunity of playing in the Premier League with the Eagles after his loan move until the end of the season from Benfica was completed on Monday morning.
The Swedish under-21 international became Roy Hodgson’s first signing as Palace manager, having arrived in Portugal from Malmo at the start of the January transfer window after the expiration of his contract.

“I believe this is a league that suits me and my way of playing,” he said. “It’s fast-paced and physically intense, and I’m a classic, balanced number 6; a box-to-box player who run up and down the field.

“I hope to adapt quickly in order to help the team and show my qualities - I have been training since the season ended and I feel fit and ready to play straight away.”

The 21-year-old is delighted to have the chance to play under Hodgson, who managed at Erdal’s hometown club Malmo during the 1980s and led them to five consecutive league championships to become a legendary figure at the club where Rakip won four titles himself.

“It will be an honour playing for Roy. He is a legend in Malmö and everyone know who he is,” Erdal added. “Crystal Palace is a fantastic club with a lot of history that plays entertaining football, and was the best option for my development and my career at this stage.

“It feels amazing arriving to the best league in the world and to be part of a great team.”

This post has been merged from a topic called 'Erdal Rakip (Signed on loan)' by Midlands Eagle

Blimey, yes - now you mention it...............

I guess now that we have mid field back up we can now allow Jordan Much his long awaited move. He has been very patient after all and we should not begrudge his desire to move on.

I think its the palace top that makes him look fat, they dont make them like they use to.

Welcome to the palace

A classic number 6 to me is not a midfielder.

COYP

Weird old deal.

If you want to live in a world full of kindness, respect and love, try to show these qualities.