Eberechi Eze rejected by SIX teams including Arsenal as fans say ‘absolute stinker in hindsight’

CRYSTAL PALACE star Eberechi Eze has revealed that SIX clubs rejected the chance to sign him before his heroics at Selhurst Park.

Eze, 25, has shone in the Premier League with Palace over the past four years and has scored a total of seven goals and four assists in 26 appearances this season.

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The versatile striker’s impressive performances have attracted interest from some of the Prem’s biggest clubs such as Manchester City and Tottenham ahead of the summer transfer window.

However, the England international didn’t always have many options throughout his career.

Starting out as a child, Eze faced a series of rejections from several different teams, including Arsenal.

The Gunners scouted the attacking midfielder in 2006 when he was playing for Sunday League side Bruin as an eight-year-old.

But the North Londoners released him after five years and that took him to London rivals Fulham.

However, the Cottagers also released him after around two and a half years.

Some unhappy spells at Reading and Millwall followed, but both had the same result.

Eze then had two trials at Sunderland and Bristol City but failed to break in.

But the former England youth international finally got his chance in 2016 when Queens Park Rangers signed him.

The playmaker rewarded QPR’s faith with a series of impressive displays that led to a £19.5m move to Palace four years later.

Eze recalled: “So I started at Bruin, which is a Sunday League team. I was there for maybe half a year before I was scouted by some teams like Arsenal, Chelsea – more London teams.

“I decided to go to Arsenal, I stayed there for about five years, I played there and then I was released.

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“I went to Fulham for about two and a half years and was released from there.

“I went to Reading for half a year, I was released from there. I went to Millwall for my student, I stayed there for two years and then I was released from there.

“Then I went on trial for some teams. I went to Sunderland, I went to Bristol City, I was released from there – well, I wasn’t released, but I didn’t go in.

“Then, thank God, I was signed by QPR. They gave me a one-year contract.

“I worked for maybe three or four months, I was offered a new contract and from then on I started to grow, I started to improve and improve, playing football for the first team and from then on I was transferred to Palace.”

Fans couldn’t believe how their favorite clubs missed out on a talent like Eze, who is set to make a huge financial move soon, with his Palace contract running until 2027.

Eze is asking the price

Reports suggest the Eagles will not let their star go for less than £70m, especially after he dealt a crushing blow to Liverpool’s title chances by scoring the winner in Sunday’s 1-0 victory at Anfield.

One fan tweeted: “It’s MAD how many teams rejected Eberechi Eze.”

Another commented: “Can’t forgive Sunderland for this one, absolutely stinks in hindsight.”

A third wrote: “The thought of Eze and [Palace team-mate Michael] Olise on the same side as #ReadingFC is scary.”

This fan said: “@SunderlandAFC for God’s sake lads got a good shot there.”

And that one begged: “Come back home, to Arsenal.”

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