Crystal Palace have completed the £1million signing of highly-rated teenager Luke Plange from crisis club Derby.
Plange emerged as a late target for Palace on deadline day and administrators at Derby accepted an 11th-hour bid for the 19-year-old striker, who has signed a three-and-a-half year contract until 2025 at Selhurst Park.
Palace have loaned Plange back to Derby for the rest of the season so he can continue to help their fight for Championship survival following their 21-point deduction.
Plange has flourished under Wayne Rooney in recent months after making his debut at the start of December, and scored his third goal in six Championship starts as Derby rescued a dramatic 2-2 draw against Birmingham on Sunday.
Plange said: “I'm very excited to be joining a big Premier League club. I'm ready to crack on.
“Obviously I’ll be with Derby, fighting for them in the Championship at the moment, but I will be ready to go back to Crystal Palace in the summer and get ready to go.”
Palace chairman Steve Parish said: “Luke is an exceptionally talented young footballer and one we hope will bring a range of attributes to the club in the years to come.
“But first, he has an important role to fulfil playing at Derby, and we appreciate his significance to them in their current circumstances. It is less than 12 years ago that our club was in a similar situation - as a result we were determined to ensure both clubs benefit through this deal. Therefore Luke will return on loan for the remainder of the season and help Derby with their important battles on and off the pitch.
“I look forward to seeing Luke compete in Palace colours soon, and until then enjoy the performances he continues to give for Derby.”
Derby are under a transfer embargo but the EFL have cleared Plange to rejoin them on loan.
The former Arsenal youth player could also be loaned out again next season to continue his development with regular football.
Derby assistant manager Liam Rosenior has said Plange “has been outstanding” this season, and admitted any money they get into the club is crucial because the “most important thing is the clubs survival”.
