Crystal Palace are pleased to announce the signing of Ruben Loftus-Cheek on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
The England under-21 international becomes the Eagles’ first signing of the summer and the maiden acquisition from Frank de Boer, and returns to his native south London where he was born and raised in Lewisham.
“I had the option of coming to Palace and I thought that it would be great for me,” Loftus-Cheek said. “I live not too far away, I was born in Lewisham and Palace is good club so I thought it’s a good chance to play here and be a part of the team. They have a very strong team and I’d like to be a part of that this season.”
Loftus-Cheek, 21, has spent the whole of his career to date with the Blues since signing for them as an eight-year-old. He enjoyed a successful career with the west Londoner’s youth side, winning two FA Youth Cups, an U21s Premier League title and the UEFA Youth League, earning him his first-team bow in December 2014.
Since then, Loftus-Cheek has picked up two Premier League winner’s medals, and featured six times in their title-winning campaign last season. He has made 32 appearances for the Blues across the last three seasons, scoring twice.
In addition to his club career, the midfielder has been capped by England at youth levels and has won 17 caps for the under-21 side since 2015.
He will wear the number eight shirt during his time with the Eagles.