Crystal Palace have seemingly won the race to sign Jeffrey Schlupp from Leicester City after agreeing a £12 million deal for the defender.
The Ghanian made it clear to Claudio Ranieri that he wanted to leave and reports on Thursday afternoon suggested the move was close.
The defender will leave the defending Premier League champions to join Palace as Sam Allardyce begins to make the changes he sees fit in order to turn the club’s fortunes around.
Palace currently sit 17th in the Premier League, just one point away from the relegation zone. With the deal close, the defender could make his Palace debut on Saturday when the club travels to the London Stadium.
The 24-year-old looks set to become the former England manager’s first signing since arriving at Selhurst Park.
As Schlupp begins a new spell of his career, we look back at his journey and reveal some facts that you may not have known about.
German born
Despite representing Ghana’s senior team, the defender was actually born in Hamburg, Germany.
He did train with Germany’s U19s but did not receive a full cap, he made his international debut for Ghana in 2011.
Hat-trick hero
Schlupp announced himself in the best way possible on his Leicester City debut.
He scored a hat-trick in the League Cup against Rotherham back in 2011. What an impact!
Manchester United trials
Back in January 2013, the defender spent time training with Manchester United in what was Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge.
He spent a total of three weeks training with the club and featured in two U21 fixtures.
He would later return to Leicester and enjoy a successful run in the squad following the trials.
He started as a striker
When Schlupp went on trial to Manchester United, he went there as a striker.
He’s often proved to be a versatile player in his career but started as a striker.
He’s now a more defensive option but remains to be as attacking from the back.
Two-time YPOTY
As Leicester enjoyed a strong rise through the leagues, Schlupp enjoyed a rise through the Foxes’ team.
He was named Young Player of the Year on two occasions, back-to-back in fact. Firstly in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 season.
He's never seen red!
Throughout his career, he’s never been sent off! There aren’t many players that can boast that sort of record these days.