Crystal Palace FC's first-ever major European adventure is underway, as we battle to win the UEFA Conference League. Find out how you can join us on our journey.

European Tour

## Born in the USA

> After a remarkable two-year journey from Alabama to Bayern Munich, Chris Richards fulfilled a lifelong dream when he moved to the Premier League with Crystal Palace in 2022.

Born in Alabama, USA, Richards began his career near Houston before joining F.C. Dallas’ Academy and earning a professional contract there.

He moved to Houston and then Dallas aged 16 – both over 600 miles from his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, where his parents still live – and initially lived alone with a host family. He then made the even larger jump of joining Bayern Munich aged 18, where he learnt fluent German and made his senior debut shortly after signing.

From here Richards’ rise was swift: he made his senior debut in a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in 2018, his professional debut with Bayern Munich II in 2019, and his full Bayern debut in June 2020. A few months later he featured as a substitute in the German side’s DFL-Supercup win over Borussia Dortmund.

The young defender went on to represent Bayern in the Bundesliga and Champions League before joining 1899 Hoffenheim on loan in 2021. He has played a total of 82 professional matches.

Richards began his international career early, too, competing with the US Under-20s to win the CONCACAF U20 Championship aged 18. His performances at this level earned him a senior debut in November 2020, coming on as a substitute against Panama. Richards has since amassed seven further caps.

He made his debut for the Eagles at Anfield as a second-half substitute in August 2022. Richards went on to make his first start for the club, after a leg injury, in January 2023 in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Selhurst Park.

Commenting on his first start he said: “It was worth the wait! Being able to make it \[my first Premier League start\] at home, especially in a game like tonight, was amazing."

His performances against Manchester United home and away, along with keeping a clean sheet against Newcastle United, saw him win the club's Player of the Month award in January 2023.

Richards' first domestic season in red and blue ended with 10 appearances in total, however he also managed to score his first international goal in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League against Canada to guide the United States to a 2-0 win.

The 2023/24 campaign saw Richards establish more of a place in the side, playing multiple roles as a centre-back, defensive midfielder and even as a right-back. He racked up 30 appearances in total, and scored his first goal against Burnley in a 3-0 win at Selhurst Park in February 2024.

Richards also found CONCACAF Nations League success once more, winning the title again in a 2-0 win over Mexico in March 2024. He was also recognised for his exceptional work with the Palace for Life Foundation - winning the PFA Community Champion award.

In 2024/25, Richards made 32 appearances across all competitions - six of which were in the FA Cup, where he played every single minute on the way to making history in the final against Manchester City.

2020

IFFHS Men's World Youth Team

January 2023

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

2023/24

PFA Community Champion

Richards

Twitter

Instagram

Appearances

Goals

Richards reflects on Mostar

Richards reflects on 100th Palace appearance

CPFC x SunExpress aircraft livery

Chris Richards Previews Fulham

The best of our Defenders | Brighton (H)

Chris speaks on victory against Brentford

Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 1-1 Millwall

The Full 90: Crystal Palace v Millwall | Palace TV+

Chris speaks on win against Millwall

Richards reflects on victory at Villa Park

Chris speaks on tough game against Nottingham Forest

Chris speaks on solid performance against Chelsea

Richards on the final game at Anfield 

Fa Cup Final | Chris Richards & Matt Turner | Post Match Interview

Richards praises team spirit

Goals Inside Box

Goals Outside Box

Right Foot

Left Foot

Shots

Shots on target

Hit woodwork

Penalties taken

Penalties scored

Touches

Touches in opposition box

Aerial duels

Aerial duels won

Interceptions

Blocks

Recoveries

Tackles won

Duels won

Clearances

Minutes

Attempted passes

Successful passes

Chances created

Crosses

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls won

Fouls Conceded

Season

Games

Max speaks on tough fought qualification

Needing to score against a side who had kept six clean sheets in seven previous UEFA Conference League matches this season, Palace did so – twice – to secure a place in the last eight of the competition.

Whilst Palace’s victory was hard-fought, the result – progression to the quarter-finals – was the main thing, with Lacroix and his teammates remaining patient in pursuit of their winning goals. 

“A long day, but a really important win,” was Lacroix’s assessment, speaking to Palace TV. “I think we deserved it. 

“You can see with the statistics that we shoot a lot, but they played really well, to be honest. And until the very end, we kept on going, so it's perfect.

“This is the thing that we’ve learned a lot: to be patient, to wait for the good passes, the good runs and the good moments in front of goal. 

“To be honest, they did very well defensively. It was not easy, but in the end, we scored two beautiful goals. 

“We could’ve scored three or four, but we didn't take the chances – we’ll take them against Fiorentina.”


Underlining Palace’s patience in an often bruising tie, Lacroix noted the vociferous atmosphere inside the AEK Arena, and was proud of how the Eagles stuck to their structure and gameplan.

“We stayed calm,” he added. “And even when they scored the goal, we stuck to the principles. We did well.

“The most important thing is to win. When you come here in this type of game, it's always difficult, and we did the job – so this is the most important thing.”

On double goalscorer Ismaïla Sarr, who netted his 14th and 15th goals in all competitions, Lacroix smiled: “It’s beautiful for him. You know, he's really a key player for us and we are really happy to help him also to score. 

“I would tell him that he needs to score the third one! He didn’t want to give us any rest! But yes, it's really good for him and for us.”


It's unbelievable when you know that you can go everywhere in the world, and you’ll have some people who’ll support you

Having secured the win on the night, Lacroix and his teammates celebrated – in his signature ‘fist pump’ style in front of an away end which was, for a sixth time this season on the continent, loud and proud throughout.

“I always enjoy it because it's our celebration,” Lacroix smiled. “We could see also that all the team made us a celebration in the end. 

“This is, I think, the foundation of this club, of this team: it's a big family.

“I think it's unbelievable when you know that you can go everywhere in the world, and you’ll have some people who’ll support you.

“Today, we could feel that they were with us.

“I just want to say ‘thank you’ from the team, for those who travelled and for those who also watch us on TV. We’ll see them also in Florence for the next game!”

Crystal Palace demonstrated the benefit of their previous European experiences while overcoming AEK Larnaca, Maxence Lacroix feels.

Lacroix reveals lessons learned at Larnaca

AEK Larnaca v Crystal Palace (2026-03-19)

Crystal Palace

UEFA Conference League

AEK Larnaca

Last Match

Fiorentina

Next Match

Shop Palace Shirts

Palace's top scorer this season was once again the man for the big occasion, notching his 14th and 15th goals of the season – and fourth and fifth in Europe – to help Palace twice breach a defence which had only conceded once in Europe before the game.

Sarr could have even had a hat-trick, with a first-half effort disallowed for offside – confirmed by VAR – and the forward later hitting both the crossbar and post in extra-time.

The No. 7 well and truly led the way for Palace in Cyprus, with 13 shots (three on target, leading to two goals); three crosses; two free-kicks won and two corners won over the 120 minutes.

As a result, he collected **76.0%** of your votes, with **Yéremy Pino** (8.9%) and **Tyrick Mitchell** (7.4%) also catching your eye.

**Check out the full results of your Player of the Match poll below!**

Ismaïla Sarr's brace helped a persistent Crystal Palace overcome AEK Larnaca in Cyprus and reach the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals – and it's no surprise you chose the Senegal forward as your Player of the Match!

Your Player of the Match from Palace's win in Larnaca – revealed!

The duo – who both started England’s last fixture, a 2-0 win in Albania in November which sealed a perfect World Cup qualifying record – have both been named among Thomas Tuchel’s 35-man squad for the pair of warm-up matches.

The Three Lions will continue their preparations towards this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup with matches against two other nations who will be heading to North America for the competition this summer.

England will first host Uruguay on Friday, 27th March (19:45 GMT) at Wembley, before taking on Japan on Tuesday 31st March (19:45 BST) at the same ground.

Henderson will be seeking to add to his four appearances – and two clean sheets – for England, with Wharton also looking to add to his three caps.

### Fixture details

**England v Uruguay**

- Friday, 27th March
- 19:45 GMT
- Wembley Stadium
- Friendly

**England v Japan**

- Tuesday, 31st March
- 19:45 BST
- Wembley Stadium
- Friendly

Dean Henderson and Adam Wharton have both been called up by England for the Three Lions’ pair of friendlies against Uruguay and Japan at Wembley Stadium later this month.

March internationals: Palace duo called up by England

First-team

First-team

Lacroix reveals lessons learned at Larnaca

Your Player of the Match from Palace's win in Larnaca – revealed!

March internationals: Palace duo called up by England

Shop Palace Shirts

26Chris
Richards

First-team

First-team

Lacroix reveals lessons learned at Larnaca

Your Player of the Match from Palace's win in Larnaca – revealed!

March internationals: Palace duo called up by England

Shop Palace Shirts

26ChrisRichards

26Chris
Richards