---
title: "Here’s Why the Signing of Clyne is Shrewd Business by the Eagles"
canonical: "https://readcrystalpalace.com/2020/10/15/heres-why-the-signing-of-clyne-is-shrewd-business-by-the-eagles/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Articles"
published: "2020-10-15T10:00:48Z"
modified: "2020-10-15T10:00:48Z"
---

# Here’s Why the Signing of Clyne is Shrewd Business by the Eagles

Former Palace defensive ace Nathaniel Clyne has made a return to SE25 on a short-term deal, [the club has confirmed](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2020/october/nathaniel-clyne-returns-to-crystal-palace-on-short-term-deal/).

Clyne [had been training with the Eagles](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/crystal-palace-transfer-news-nathaniel-clyne-latest-a4549911.html) for the previous few weeks as a free agent following his release by Premier League champions Liverpool during the summer.

The defender had previously suffered an ACL tear and missed the entirety of the 2019/20 season – Clyne has not played a competitive match since December 2018.

[Speaking to the club website](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2020/october/nathaniel-clyne-returns-to-crystal-palace-on-short-term-deal/), Clyne said: “I’m a London boy, this is where I grew up. I’m back home and all my family and friends are here. It’s surreal being back, enjoying it and hopefully I can just crack on and enjoy my football again.”

Crystal Palace Chairman Steve Parish was also delighted to be welcoming the former academy talent back to south London. He added: “Nathaniel is a fantastic character to have around this squad and we are delighted to secure his services for the upcoming period. He is a first-rate professional, just as he was when I first met him more than a decade ago. His presence and experience will be invaluable.”

Clyne[was sold by Crystal Palace to Southampton in 2012](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nathaniel-clyne/transfers/spieler/85177)for a fee just under £3 million, before switching to Liverpool after an impressive period in the south of England for a fee in excess of £15 million. He had previously made 137 appearances for the Eagles.

### Read Crystal Palace Verdict

Despite the summer signing of West Brom prospect [Nathan Ferguson](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2020/july/nathan-ferguson-joins-crystal-palace-f.c/) to provide competition at right-back, Palace would still require short-term cover.

Joel Ward is currently the only fit and available right-back at the club, with Ferguson recovering from a severe knee injury he sustained in January. Consequentially, a short-term deal for Clyne will benefit all parties immensely.

Were Ward to suffer a severe injury, and with right-sided Martin Kelly also recovering from injury, Palace would find themselves direly lacking any right-sided defensive cover. The signing of Clyne rectifies this potentially immobilising issue.

As a result, any deal for the 29-year-old offers a boost in defensive certainty as Palace look to capitalise on as many available points as possible, with a promising run of fixtures coming up – starting with a crucial fixture against arch-rivals Brighton.