Dean Henderson welcomes new Crystal Palace signing with excited message

Dean Henderson welcomes new Crystal Palace signing with excited message

Oliver Glasner is building a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts as Crystal Palace prepare for their Europa League campaign.

Palace’s historic FA Cup Final victory against Manchester City last month means they’ll play in European competition for the very first time next season, after picking up a first piece of silverware in 119 years.

The Eagles have already said goodbye to their long-time captain Joel Ward after his release at the end of last season, but Glasner will be desperate to keep hold of several exit-linked Palace players this summer.

Stand-in skipper Marc Guehi has just one year left on his contract and could leave Palace for free in 12 months’ time, while cup final goalscorer Eberechi Eze has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham.

Crystal Palace made history at Wembley to win the first major trophy in their history (Credit: Imago)

Crystal Palace confirm first summer signing

Although Palace anticipate further bids from their Premier League and European rivals for the likes of Eze and Guehi this summer, Glasner’s side have wasted no time in adding to the squad ahead of next season.

Dean Henderson was Palace’s hero in the FA Cup Final and saved Omar Marmoush’s first-half penalty as well as keeping out Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku, and is firmly established as Palace’s number one.

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

However, the Eagles have added to their goalkeeping stocks by signing Argentina international Walter Benitez as their first addition of the summer, and posted on Instagram (23 June) to confirm his arrival.

The Eagles’ post said; “Welcome to Palace, Walter Benitez”, and among several likes and comments from his former PSV team-mates, Henderson added a message to say: “Welcome to the family”.

Crystal Palace braced for exits after Benitez signing

Football Insider Verdict

Benitez will join a healthy stock of goalkeepers at Selhurst Park which is spearheaded by Henderson at present, with US international Matt Turner his current number two and Remi Matthews also in the mix.

Matthews signed a new contract on 5 June to extend his stay until 2027, and Glasner will be hopeful that Guehi does the same to prevent the cut-price transfer which looks increasingly inevitable this summer.

Eze’s £60million release clause leaves his fate out of Palace’s hands should any club decide to stump up that figure, but there’s still a chance the Eagles’ star players can be convinced to stay for next season’s European adventure.

Click here to read article