It was a weekend of firsts and derby-day drama for Crystal Palace’s loanees, with Jesurun Rak-Sakyi opening his account in Turkey and Borna Sosa making his full debut in Germany. Here’s how the nine Eagles got on.
Borna Sosa made his full debut for 1. FC Köln in an action-packed Rhine derby, helping them to a 2-1 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga.
The Croatian left-back created the opener with a free-kick that was cleared only as far as Ísak Jóhannesson, who sent a stunning volley from 20 yards into the top corner.
Having made his first appearance off the bench against Hamburg just before the international break, Sosa wasted little time making his mark from the start.
Meanwhile, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi marked his latest appearance for Kasımpaşa FC with a first goal, despite a 3-1 defeat away to Galatasaray in the Trendyol Süper Lig.
Introduced just before the hour mark, the winger needed little time to make his mark. Thiemoko Diarra’s deflected strike fell kindly into his path, and the 24-year-old controlled before firing into the roof of the net, all while losing his footing.
Rak-Sakyi has featured in three of the four matches for which he has been eligible since arriving in Turkey on loan, with Kasımpaşa ninth after seven games.
There was a new chapter for Under-18s goalkeeper Thiago Speroni, who has joined National League South side Dagenham & Redbridge on loan until January.
The son of Palace legend Julian Speroni has been named on the bench for all three matches since joining, including Dagenham’s FA Cup third qualifying round tie against Brentwood Town.
Everyone at Palace wishes Thiago the very best as he takes this next step in his development.
Fresh from keeping a clean sheet on his senior Canada debut in a 1-0 win over Peru, Owen Goodman returned to Dundee FC and helped them secure a 2-1 victory away to Falkirk.
The 22-year-old had relatively little to do before a penalty on the stroke of half-time denied him what perhaps should have been a third clean sheet of the season. He was called upon late on, though, producing a smart save to keep out Ben Krauhaus’ angled effort.
Goodman has started all eight of Dundee’s Scottish Premiership matches this season, with the Dee sitting fourth after seven games.
Rio Cardines continued his impressive start at Bristol City, completing another 90 minutes as the Robins came from behind to draw 1-1 away to Charlton Athletic in the Championship.
Cardines headed into the international break with six assists in his first eight appearances. Although he couldn’t add to that tally on Saturday, another strong showing will have further endeared him to the City faithful.
The Robins sit 10th, level on 14 points with West Bromwich Albion and Millwall, ahead of Tuesday’s home clash with Blackburn Rovers.
Speaking of Milwall, Romain Esse remains sidelined through injury as the Lions edged Preston North End 1-0.
Hindolo Mustapha was also absent as Notts County fell to a 2-1 defeat against Oxford United in League One.
Elsewhere, Matheus França is in action on Monday evening, when FC Alverca host Famalicão in Liga Portugal (20:15 BST).
The Brazilian has featured in both matches for which he has been eligible, helping Alverca beat Nacional and Rio Ave before the international break. He’ll be looking to continue that winning run, with victory offering the chance to climb into eighth.
Finally, Under-21s ‘keeper Marcus Hill has returned to Raynes Park Vale on loan, continuing his development in Step Four alongside his involvement with Palace’s U21s.
Hill has featured three times for the Isthmian League South Central Division side, helping them beat Littlehampton Town and Harrow Borough. Despite defeat to AFC Stoneham, Vale remain fifth and in the play-off places early in the campaign.
Goodman and Rak-Sakyi both featured in Palace TV’s Loan Life series, offering supporters a behind-the-scenes insight into adapting to new clubs and developing through senior football.
You can watch every episode now on Palace TV.