German giants Bayern Munich have secured the signature of highly-rated young winger Michael Olise from Crystal Palace. The 22-year-old Frenchman, who can also represent England at senior level, has penned a five-year deal with the Bavarians in a transfer reportedly worth around 60 million euros (£50.7 million).
Olise’s Rise and Palace Success:
Olise, born in England to a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother, has enjoyed a rapid rise in recent seasons. After progressing through the academies of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City, he established himself in the senior game with Reading. His impressive performances there caught the eye of Crystal Palace, who signed him for £8 million in July 2021.
Over the next three seasons at Selhurst Park, Olise blossomed into a key player for the Eagles. He made a total of 90 appearances in all competitions, showcasing his creativity and attacking prowess. Last season, despite missing a significant portion due to injuries, he still managed to score 10 goals in just 19 Premier League appearances, playing a crucial role in Palace’s impressive 10th-place finish.
Olise Chooses Bayern and Kompany Project:
Despite interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea and Newcastle United, Olise opted for a new challenge in Germany. This move signifies his ambition to compete at the highest level and play under the tutelage of legendary defender-turned-manager Vincent Kompany, who recently took the helm at Bayern Munich.
“I’m incredibly happy to be joining such a prestigious club,”
Olise said upon signing.
“This is a huge challenge, and that’s exactly what I was looking for. I’m eager to prove myself at this level and contribute to winning as many titles as possible with Bayern in the years to come.”
READ ALSO: https://thecrux.com.ng/netherlands-stage-comeback-to-reach-euro-2024-semis/
Olise’s Selection for Olympics and Palace’s Pride:
Olise’s talent has also been recognized on the international stage. He has been selected for the French Under-21 squad and is even part of the French Olympic team participating in the upcoming games in Paris.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish expressed his pride in Olise’s development at the club.
“We’re incredibly proud of what Michael has achieved at Crystal Palace,”
Parish stated.
“He has matured significantly as a player during his time here, and we completely understand his desire to test himself at the very top of world football.”
Bayern’s Transfer Window Activity:
The signing of Olise is just one piece of the puzzle for Bayern Munich as they aim to reclaim their dominance in German football after Bayer Leverkusen’s surprising title win last season. The Bavarians are also closing in on the acquisition of Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham for a reported fee of £42 million with additional add-ons. Additionally, England defender Eric Dier, who impressed on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the second half of last season, has made his move to Bayern permanent.
With these reinforcements and the arrival of a new manager in Kompany, Bayern Munich appears set for a period of exciting transition as they strive to return to the Bundesliga summit and compete for the Champions League trophy.
