Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze has revealed the six clubs who rejected the chance to sign him as a youngster before he penned his first professional contract with Queens Park Rangers in 2016.
Following a successful loan stint at Wycombe Wanderers, Eze established himself as a first-team regular at QPR and made over 100 appearances during his four-year spell at the Championship club.
The midfielder's impressive form in the EFL caught the attention of Premier League clubs including Crystal Palace, who decided to fork out a reported £17m in the summer of 2020.
Eze has since developed into a key player for the Eagles, contributing with 22 goals and 15 assists in 119 games across all competitions, including seven goals and four assists in 26 outings so far this season.
The Greenwich-born midfielder, who was rewarded with his first senior England cap in June last year, scored the only goal to help Palace claim a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, boosting the Eagles hopes of survival in the top flight.
© Reuters
Eze thankful to QPR after multiple rejections
Eze is now an established Premier League player who is understood to have caught the eye of a number of top clubs over the last 12 months, but the midfielder has opened up on the difficulties that he had at youth level in finding a club where he could kick-start his career.
Palace's No.10 has confirmed that Arsenal, Fulham, Reading and Millwall all released him as a youngster, while both Sunderland and Bristol City opted against signing him following a trial.
Speaking on the Second Tier Podcast, Eze said: "So I started at Bruin, that's a Sunday League team. Was there for maybe half a year before getting scouted by a few teams like Arsenal, Chelsea - more London-based teams.
"I decided to go to Arsenal, was there for maybe five years, played there then got released. Went to Fulham for two-and-a-half years or so, got released from there. Went to Reading for half a year, got released from there. The went to Millwall for my scholar, was there for two years then got released from there.
"Went on trial to a few teams afterwards. Went to Sunderland, went to Bristol City, got released from there - well not released, but didn't get in. Then, thankfully to God, I got signed by QPR. They gave me a year contract.
"Worked for maybe three or four months, got offered a new contract and from there started to grow, started to get better and improve, play first-team football and from there I got a move to Palace."
© Reuters
What does the future hold for Eberechi Eze?
Eze is regarded as an integral first-team player for Crystal Palace and newly-appointed manager Oliver Glasner will be keen to keep hold of the midfielder, who is under contract at Selhurst Park until June 2027.
However, Eze's impressive performances for the Eagles have subsequently led to speculation about his future amid reported interest from Premier League clubs including Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
Both the Citizens and Spurs are said to be keeping tabs on Eze and were strongly linked with the Englishman last summer, but a move ultimately failed to materialise.
It is thought that the prospect of a transfer to a club competing in next season's Champions League, a competition that Spurs may qualify for alongside current holders Man City, would appeal to Eze.
Eze's services would not come cheap, though, as The Sun reports that Palace value their star man in excess of £70m.
Oliver Thomas
