February 14 2012

Reise Allasani

Crystal Palace starlet Reise Allassani has signed professional forms with the club.

The 16-year-old attacking midfielder has inked a two-and-a-half year pro contract, which will come into effect on his next birthday.

A host of Premier League clubs were chasing the England schoolboy international and Palace awarded him "the biggest offer ever made to a CPFC Academy graduate".

Academy Manager Gary Issott told the official club website: "It is fantastic news for the club. He is a real success story and has been here since the age of eight and we have developed him over the last nine years.

"He is a local lad who lives Bromley and has represented England at under 16 and Ireland at under 15 level. We are very proud of him and he is someone that we are hoping to go on and do great things for the club.

"Reise had an opportunity to maybe look elsewhere at other clubs and as an under 16 school boy you can do that.

"We had a number of Premier League clubs that bid for Reise but in the end he has seen the progression path here. With the players that we have produced it is a great opportunity for him to start his professional career."