---
title: "Christopher Samba spotted at Crystal Palace training ground"
canonical: "https://readcrystalpalace.com/2017/01/24/christopher-samba-spotted-crystal-palace-training-ground/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Michael Oliver"
section: "Crystal Palace Transfer News"
published: "2017-01-24T17:35:20Z"
modified: "2017-01-24T17:35:20Z"
---

# Christopher Samba spotted at Crystal Palace training ground

Bringing in defenders to solve Crystal Palace’s defensive issues this month has been a top priority for Sam Allardyce and he’s trying to bring in players he has worked with before.

With Palace closing in on a deal to sign Patrick van Aanholt from Sunderland, Allardyce is hopeful of signing free agent centre-back Christopher Samba.

The 32-year-old was released by Panathinaikos this month just six months into a one-year deal with the Greek giants and is now a free agent looking for a club.

> Twitter: Christopher Samba, recently released by Panathinaikos and a free agent, has been at #cpfc’s training ground today (@domfifield)

It was reported last week that Palace had held talks with Samba over a January move but according to the Guardian’s Dominic Fifield, Samba has been at Palace’s training ground today.

> Twitter: Chris Samba is on trial at Crystal Palace with a view to signing a short-term deal. Congo defender released by Panathinaikos this week #cpfc (@ed\_aarons)

Fellow Guardian reporter Ed Aarons has stated that Samba is on trial with Palace ahead of signing a short-term contract until the end of the season.

Allardyce worked with Samba during their two years together at Blackburn and would like to reunite with the centre-back.