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

## Our Senegalese Sarr

> Ismaïla Sarr became the club’s third signing of the 2024/25 summer transfer window after joining on a five-year deal from Olympique de Marseille.

The 26-year-old attacker possesses plenty of experience of English football, having spent four years at Watford – recording 34 goals and 22 assists in 131 games – prior to joining Marseille, whom he helped reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League last season.

Sarr's career began in French football with Metz, before moving to Rennes and leading the club into Europe, as well as winning their first Coupe de France in almost half a century.

At international level, he has been a mainstay of the Senegal national side, earning 64 caps, scoring 13 goals and winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021.

His career has also been defined by his eye for the spectacular, having won Goal of the Season awards in both the Football League and the Europa League.

Sarr was ever-present in every Premier League matchday squad in his first season at the club, playing in all 38 games, while also featuring in a further nine cup games. He scored 11 goals across all competitions, with eight additional assists - including a stunning effort against rivals Brighton & Hove Albion and a brace against Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final.

2022/23, Watford (v West Bromwich Albion)

EFL Goal of the Season

Watford, 2020/21

Player of the Season

Players' Player of the Season

2018/19, Rennes (v Jablonec)

UEFA Europa League Goal of the Season

December 2024

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

Sarr

Instagram

Appearances

Goals

Ismaïla Sarr Returns From AFCON

Pre-match Press Conference | RC Strasbourg (A)

Extended Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-1 AZ Alkmaar | Palace TV+

The Full 90: Crystal Palace v AZ Alkmaar | Palace TV+

Sarr wins October's Goal of the Month

Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-1 AZ Alkmaar

Goal of the month contenders | October 2025

Extended Highlights: Liverpool 0-3 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Match Action: Liverpool 0-3 Crystal Palace

Extended Highlights: Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool | Palace TV+

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

Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool

Goal of the month contenders | August 2025

Extended Highlights: Aston Villa 0-3 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

The Full 90: Aston Villa v Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

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

The Norway international was announced as the Eagles' third addition of the winter transfer window on Monday (2nd February), and got straight down to work with Oliver Glasner's sqaud on Wednesday at Copers Cope, ahead of our crunch Premier League match away to Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.

The 25-year-old – donning his new No. 22 – greeted his new teammates, including Yeremy Pino – whom he revealed in [his first Palace TV interview](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/video/strand-larsen-first-palace-tv-interview/) he had met before during their time in Spain's La Liga – and got straight down to work, with fellow new signing Evann Guessand also settling into life in South London.

**Check out the best of the video footage above, and the top Strand Larsen 'day one' photos below!**

### Match Details

**Brighton & Hove Albion v Crystal Palace**

- Sunday, 8th February
- 14:00 GMT
- Premier League
- Amex Stadium
- [**Live audio commentary on Palace TV+.**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)

Jørgen Strand Larsen took part in his first-ever Crystal Palace training session on Wednesday, following his move from Wolverhampton Wanderers – and we've the best of the footage and photos.



Inside Jorgen Strand Larsen's first Palace training session!

Brighton and Hove Albion v Crystal Palace (2026-02-08)

Crystal Palace

Premier League

Nottingham Forest

Last Match

Brighton and Hove Albion

Next Match

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Launched in collaboration with Motorsport UK - Race for Diversity and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the *Level Up: Women in Sports Series* will support 30 women between the ages of 16 and 24 in progressing their careers in sport, by providing exposure to careers across the industry, behind-the-scenes insights, and workshops delivered by different partners. 

Starting with a panel event at Selhurst Park on Monday, 2nd March – at the beginning of Women’s History Month 2026 – the initiative is designed to help students, recent graduates, or early-career professionals interested in building careers in sport. 

Following the initial launch, the programme will comprise monthly workshops between March and July, including sessions with our collaborators, culminating in participants spending a day at the cricket at Lord’s – the ground owned by MCC – this summer.

A full timeline of planned events can be seen below.

**Applications for the programme open at 12:00 GMT on Wednesday, 4th February** and **close at 17:00 on Wednesday, 18th February**. [**Please click here to apply**](https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=thqtbBQ2dEO5bAgqbigUBXIGcpHwTutNj784OxpxPblUMlNWRFRTS1g5N00xWEZOOEk1Szg3OEEwQy4u&route=shorturl)**.**

Click here to apply

### Programme Structure

The Programme Cohort will comprise 30 women between the ages of 16–24 – including (but not limited to) students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals interested in careers in sport.

Applications will be considered with an intersectional perspective, to ensure the group includes women of all backgrounds.

- **Applications will open:** 12:00 GMT on Wednesday, 4th February 2026
- **Applications will close:** 17:00 GMT on Wednesday, 18th February 2026
- Applications will be reviewed, and members will be selected based on their passion, dedication, and ability to represent diverse perspectives.
- **Successful applicants can expect to hear back on Friday, 20th February.**
- If you have any questions about the programme, or about applying, please contact [inclusion@cpfc.co.uk](mailto:inclusion@cpfc.co.uk) .

Running between March and July, the planned event timeline (successful applicants will be notified of exact dates in due course):

- **Monday, 2nd March**: Event launch
- **April (a Saturday, date TBC):** Workshop with Motorsports UK- Race for Diversity
- **May (a Saturday, date TBC)**: Workshop with MCC
- **June (a Saturday, date TBC)**: Workshop with CPFC and Palace for Life Foundation
- **July**: Programme conclusion

Earlier this season, Palace were delighted [**to be awarded the Advanced level**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/palace-receive-premier-leagues-highest-award-for-equality-diversity-inclusion/) of the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard (PLEDIS) for the first time.

This launch underscores the club's strong commitment to growing female representation within sport; promoting equality, equity and diversity; and empowering women in the workplace.

[**Click here to find out more about our commitment to Equality & Diversity**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/information/equality-and-diversity/)**.**

Our collaboration with Motorsport UK – Race for Diversity and MCC will also see us work with both organisations to promote one another’s fixtures to female supporters.

Both will have a stand at Palace Men’s and Women’s respective dedicated International Women’s Day fixtures in March, with Palace similarly promoting our matches at their events.

The collaboration with MCC comes ahead a big summer for women’s cricket at Lord’s, with the Ground set to host its first women’s Test match and four ICC Women’s World T20 Cup matches, including the final.

Crystal Palace are pleased to announce the launch of the Level Up: Women in Sports Series, promoting the next generation of female talent in our industry. 

Palace launch Level Up: Women in Sports Series – applications now open!

Palace’s new No. 22 – who turns 26-years-old in just a few days’ time (6th February) – has [more than a few fascinating stories](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/first-team/everything-you-need-to-know-jorgen-strand-larsen-career-background/) to tell, from his early beginnings in Norway to his impressive goalscoring statistics across the continent, for club and for country.

But the old adage that a picture tells a thousand words equally applies to Strand Larsen, whose brilliant anecdotes were the ideal subject of a ‘Career in Pictures’ recap from the man himself.

It's essential viewing – a unique insight into the background of Palace’s club-record signing, in his words.

**Watch the full Palace TV feature with Strand Larsen above, and recap some of his stories below!**

“This is from my boyhood club \[Kvik Halden\], with two of my still best friends. 

"I never played for the first team, but obviously I was there until I was 15 and I’m still trying to help out the club as much as I can – I’ve still got some friends playing there, and every time I'm back in my city I always go and watch them, so it brings back some childhood memories.

“My Dad and my Mum both played football, and they both played at that club, so it's definitely an important club for me."

"Norway Under-17s. I remember this moment because I was quite fresh in the team. Obviously the first time I got called up to Under-16s was an unbelievable feeling, and ever since, I played for the national team and did all the grades from Under-16 to the first team.

“It's probably one of my biggest flexes that I can play for the national team, and I'm really proud of that and hope to do that for a long time.”

“You obviously know who that guy is! We used to partner a lot, and played 4-4-2, me and him up front, and I think it was very hard for the centre-backs to play against us!

"It's crazy how far we've come and that we’re both in this league. Obviously he's, for me, the best striker in the world.

“We're still good friends, we talk a lot every day, and he wants the best for me, so he's also really pleased that I've made a decision to come here."

“There were definitely many ups and downs. I feel like, looking back at it, it was something that I needed to do for my career.

“My Mum wasn't the happiest because I was 17 going to Milan on my own – a big city, a bit dangerous – but looking back at it I think I've learned so much because the first six months I didn't play that much but I won over the situation.

"I played, scored goals and came back with a smile on my face, having learned a lot and been training a little bit with the first team and stuff, so it's really nice to look back at it now and see how far I've come.”

“Arjen Robben \[who captained me at Groningen\] is an amazing player and a special man. He's really down to earth compared to what he’s achieved in his career. 

"You would think that he's just above everyone else but he's a humble guy and he's a really nice guy. This is actually the first game of the season, I just signed two days before, so he took good care of me."

"Going into the top five leagues is something I always dreamt about and then going to Spain, going to Celta Vigo, a really special club, a really, really big club. 

"It took some time to get started, I only scored four goals the first season, but then had a really good season the next year. To look back at it I learned Spanish, talking fluently and had a really, really good time.

"I feel like the winner in this picture, because we played against Al-Nassr in a friendly in the summer and I scored a hat-trick and he scored zero goals, so obviously it's nice to say that to everyone else! 

"But jokes aside I just saw him outside the changing room and thought’ this is something I will regret if I don't ask for a picture’ so that was just amazing.

"He's got that character on the pitch that he really cares, it doesn't matter if it's in Real Madrid or Al-Nassr or whatever it is, he just really wants to win any game, and that's just the mentality and it was really, really cool to see. 

"I'm grateful for this picture because it means that I've come so far to be so close to him, which is really cool."

"My dream since being a little kid, especially from Norway. The Premier League is really big in Norway. Coming to the Premier League was always the dream. 

"I got off to a pretty good start. I had seven goals halfway through \[my first season\] and then I actually went two-and-a-half months without scoring, so then the feeling of coming back from that and scoring goals again and being so important, was a really nice feeling and it has also made me stronger because the Premier League can be quite tough. 

"You need to be always at your best level, so it reminds you that you just always have to keep working and do the same things. I've got so many memories and care about so many people there, so I wish them all the best."

"I feel like I fit the shirt, the colours, and it's just amazing to be here. It gives me a smile on my face, and I just can't wait to get started.

"I've always been a happy boy, I'm best when I'm happy and smiley, and it's a good time to come with the derby coming up at the weekend \[against Brighton & Hove Albion\], so it would be a good way to start with a win there. 

"I know the quality of the team, they've got a lot of quality in different areas in the team and hopefully they can help me score many goals and take Selhurst Park to the next level."

Even by modern football’s standards, Jørgen Strand Larsen has enjoyed a varied career, drawing influences from across spells, while scoring goals, in Norway, Italy, Holland, Spain and England.

Video

Video

Inside Jorgen Strand Larsen's first Palace training session!

Palace launch Level Up: Women in Sports Series – applications now open!

Watch new Eagle Strand Larsen look back over remarkable career so far

Shop Palace Shirts

7Ismaïla
Sarr

Video

Video

Inside Jorgen Strand Larsen's first Palace training session!

Palace launch Level Up: Women in Sports Series – applications now open!

Watch new Eagle Strand Larsen look back over remarkable career so far

Shop Palace Shirts

7IsmaïlaSarr

7Ismaïla
Sarr