Asher Agbinone: Crystal Palace’s new rising star

Asher Chris Ofega Agbinone, a promising 19-year-old talent from Crystal Palace Academy, made his highly anticipated Premier League debut for the Eagles against Nottingham Forest, marking a significant milestone in his blossoming football career.

Born to a Nigerian father and French mother, Agbinone’s journey began at the age of nine when he joined Crystal Palace’s Academy. Over the years, he has honed his skills and developed into a versatile forward with an eye for goals.

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On Monday night, all his hard work paid off as he stepped onto the Premier League stage, proudly following in the footsteps of other notable Academy graduates.

Agbinone’s football upbringing was shaped at the prestigious Whitgift School, the same institution that nurtured the talents of former Palace and Nigeria star Victor Moses. His explosive style of play, coupled with his ability to score and create opportunities, has made him a standout performer.

Among his key achievements are his Under-18 debut in the 2021/22 season and his first goal for the U18s in October 2022, which secured victory in the Premier League Cup against Sheffield United. His stellar form earned him a professional contract, a Goal of the Month award for a strike against Tottenham Hotspur U18s, and inclusion in the first team’s pre-season tour in the United States, where he scored in a 3-1 win over Wolves.

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Reflecting on his Premier League debut, Agbinone expressed a mix of emotions, telling his club’s website, “I’m feeling good. Obviously, the result didn’t go as we wanted, so that kind of overshadows it, but I’m still grateful.” He