Who is Christantus Uche? The incoming £17m Crystal Palace signing who brings "shades of Yaya Toure"

Crystal Palace are set to complete the signing of Christantus Ugonna Uche after reaching a verbal agreement with Spanish club Getafe.

It is thought that Uche was already in London to finalise the move over the weekend, with a medical examination scheduled before the deal is completed.

According to Guardian journalist Ed Aarons, the Nigerian midfielder is set to join Palace for a fee of €20m (£17m) on a four-year contract, and this move is expected to add depth and creativity to Oliver Glasner’s midfield options.

His arrival comes after a potential move to Wolverhampton Wanderers collapsed earlier in the window, leaving the Eagles to swoop in at the final moment.

The switch represents Uche’s first taste of Premier League football, something he has long been keen to experience. For Palace, it marks another calculated investment in young talent with high resale value.

Who is Christantus Uche?

The midfielder may not yet be a household name in England, but he has already built a reputation in Spain’s La Liga as a tenacious and dynamic footballer.

His move to Selhurst Park signals the club’s ambition to compete strongly in the 2025-26 Premier League season, building on the FA Cup and Community Shield success, while they also compete in the Conference League.

Uche was born in Owerri, a city in the Eastern part of Nigeria and worked his way up the youth football ladder before moving to Europe.

His early career saw him attract interest from several scouts due to his technical ability, energy and willingness to adapt to different roles across the pitch, which saw him signed by Spanish fifth-tier club Moralo CP in July 2022.

After one season, he moved to Ceuta, who were in the third tier of Spanish football, before his path eventually led him to La Liga side Getafe in 2024, where he developed into a reliable performer.

At Getafe, Uche became known for his versatility, featuring as both a central midfielder, an attacker and as an advanced playmaker.

He contributed five goals and eight assists in 41 games for the club, while offering an unmatched work rate that made him one of the more eye-catching talents in a side fighting to remain competitive in La Liga.

His performance was noticed by the Nigerian national team, earning him a call up for the friendly 2025 Unity Cup tournament, where he scored the winning penalty against Jamaica to win the tournament.

How old is Christantus Uche?

The midfielder is currently 22 years old, putting him in the perfect age bracket for development and long-term growth.

For Palace, his signing offers both immediate impact and potential for improvement over the coming years.

The Eagles have a history of nurturing young players and providing them with a platform to shine in the Premier League.

With Uche, they are acquiring a player for the present, while also laying foundations for the future. His youth and energy will add competition in midfield, which could be crucial over the long season.

What will Christantus Uche bring to Crystal Palace?

His style of play is one that blends physicality, creativity, and tactical intelligence. He can operate as a box-to-box midfielder, dictate tempo from deep, or push forward into attacking roles when needed.

Ayomide Oguntimehin, Chief Editor at Soccernet.ng, offered his insight exclusively to Sports Mole:

"He’s a powerful attacking midfielder who can also push up as a forward. What really stands out is his physicality - he’s strong in duels, he can pick a pass and carry the ball at pace.

"In many ways, he brings shades of Yaya Toure (of course, not with the height) with his drive through midfield, while also showing flashes of someone like Sadio Mane in how he can create openings in the final third.

"Crystal Palace fans should expect energy from this player."

That combination of physical presence and technical flair makes Uche an intriguing prospect for Premier League football. While comparisons to Yaya Toure may be lofty, the idea is that Palace are getting a midfielder who can break lines, carry the ball with confidence, and inject dynamism into their attack.

Supporters at Selhurst Park will be eager to see how quickly he adapts to the pace of English football. With Glasner’s side often relying on direct transitions and quick counter-attacks, Uche’s ability to progress the ball and withstand challenges could be vital.

If Uche lives up to the expectations, Palace may have unearthed a gem who could make a decisive impact not only this season but in campaigns to come. For the player himself, this move is a chance to prove his worth on one of the biggest stages in world football.