Malcolm Ebiowei has agreed to sign for Crystal Palace, with the club announcing he’ll join on a five-year deal from July 1st.

Crystal Palace have announced that they’ve agreed terms with Malcolm Ebiowei, and he’ll join Patrick Vieira’s squad on a five-year deal from July 1st.

Ebiowei is an Arsenal academy product, but he was most recently with Derby County, where he spent a season and made 11 Championship starts.

Still just 18 years old, the winger is clearly ahead of many of his peers by already being involved in senior football – now with a Premier League club.

Having only signed for Derby on a one-year deal, Ebiowei was a free agent this summer, though his age dictates that Derby are owed a compensation fee for his transfer.

Fabrizio Romano recently reported that rather than go through a tribunal, Palace simply agreed a fee with Derby upfront.

Manchester United were pushing hard to complete the signing as well. But Ebiowei has chosen to join Palace instead, so United will have to look to other targets.

Ebiowei played for Arsenal as a young player, before leaving as a 16-year-old to join Rangers after reports of problems behind the scenes.

There was never any doubting the youngster’s ability, and Arsenal had already used him at u18 level at just 15, fast-tracking him through the ranks.

Ebiowei spent a season and a half at Rangers, before joining Derby County last September. Now he’s set to step up to the Premier League.