Catching up with first-team debutant Amaari Sealey

After an enforced wait for his competitive Under-21s debut, the attacking midfielder has established himself in Darren Powell’s set-up, before getting a taste of first-team football on Saturday.

Having trained with Pierre Sage’s squad throughout last week, Sealey was named among the substitutes for the mid-season friendly against Bristol City – and, with six minutes of normal time remaining, he was introduced alongside fellow Young Eagle Adler Nascimento.

“It was incredible,” Sealey said. “I was ecstatic, excited, really, really happy. I could share that happiness with my family and everyone that's helped me get here.

“You can train with them all week and not come on, so you do think about that. I was quietly confident I would come on, and I'm just so happy and proud that I did.”

It was the latest milestone in what has been a promising opening few months at Palace.

Sealey joined from South London neighbours Wimbledon over the summer after an outstanding 2025/26 campaign, registering 47 goal contributions as the Dons’ Under-18s completed an unprecedented national quadruple.

Having previously spent time in West Ham’s Academy and grassroots football, the Kidbrooke-born youngster saw the move to a Category One Academy as an important next step.

“It’s a big step in my career,” he explained. “I was really excited about it because I can see how good the players and staff are here, and the facilities are incredible.

“I feel like, for me, it would be a really good stepping stone or permanent move for my career.”

Sealey’s adjustment was helped by a pre-season trip to Rotterdam, where Palace’s U21s spent five days together and faced Feyenoord in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

“At first you're a bit tentative, nervous, but throughout pre-season, especially when we went on the Rotterdam tour, I feel like I settled in really quickly,” he said.

“All the boys have been welcoming. It was a good environment to be in, and we were a new team, so we were starting to see each other's relationships on the pitch as well.

“I feel like that's helped me to be a stronger personality in the changing room and on the pitch.”

His competitive Palace Academy debut, however, had to wait…

A suspension carried over from his time at Wimbledon ruled Sealey out of the opening Premier League 2 fixtures, meaning he had to wait until the Premier League International Cup opener against Paris Saint-Germain at Sutton United at the start of September.

Coming off the bench on the hour mark, he helped the Young Eagles see out a statement 2-1 victory.

“That’s something I'll remember for quite a long while,” he said. “Such a big team, there was quite good support there, and to actually win the game and come on and do well, it felt like such a proud moment.

“I'd been waiting for that for a long time, and just to be there with all that support and the atmosphere was great.”

He did not have to wait long for his first start either. Four days later, Sealey featured from the outset against Swindon Town in the EFL Trophy, combining with Euan Danaher from a short corner before teeing up the onrushing Seb Williams to score from distance.

His first Palace assist, a full 90 minutes and another – statement – victory followed.

Sealey also played the full game against Plymouth Argyle, with his cross helping set up Donte Martin’s goal after Adler Nascimento flicked the ball on.

While, the step up from Wimbledon has brought different challenges, Sealey has certainly embraced them.

“It’s meant to be tough, but it also shows character,” he said. “I feel like we can all cope at this level and even push beyond.

“It shows us what we can do with our talent and our ability, and our togetherness as a team.”

The quality around him has also helped.

“It’s a lot different in terms of having lots of quality players around me,” he explained. “I can pass the ball and expect to get it back, that kind of thing.

“I can trust my teammates more, and I feel like there's lots of individual brilliance in this team.

“It’s definitely a step up, but I feel like I've coped quite well and I've done really well for myself.”

That belief was tested in a different way last week.

Sealey stepped into first-team training for the first time, experiencing the intensity of Premier League football before being included in the squad for Saturday’s friendly.

“The intensity, the Premier League intensity, is something else,” he said. “It’s so hard to deal with.

“But once you're settled and they trust you, and you trust yourself and have self-confidence, I feel like you can cope with it.

“Obviously, physically, there’s a bit of an uphill battle, but the intensity helps you as a player.”

Then came the proudest moment of his Palace career to date.

Having spent the afternoon watching on from the substitutes’ bench, Sealey was warming up alongside his fellow Young Eagles when, with six minutes of normal time remaining, he heard his name called.

“It’s just an incredible experience,” he recalled. “You’re warming up, you’re hearing the fans and you’re just looking around thinking it’s a really good experience. Then you hear your name being shouted and you have to get into the zone quickly.

“‘I’m actually coming on – let me try to focus myself.’

“Then you’re standing there waiting for the ball to go out, and you’re just there with the fans. It’s so good.”

Before he stepped onto the pitch, Sarge offered the 18-year-old some simple but important advice: trust the work he had already been putting in throughout the week.

“He just said: ‘Show what you've been showing in training. If you can do it in training, you can do it in a match, so just have faith in yourself.’”

Sealey took that message with him onto the pitch, immediately looking to inject energy into the closing stages and make the most of his opportunity.

“I feel like I need to show myself wherever I go, whatever game it is,” he said. “You just play what's in front of you.

“I think I did well. On the pitch, obviously, it’s a lot harder because it’s quite tiring, even in those 10 minutes, but I feel like if you show a good account of yourself, the fans will like you and it’ll go on from there.”

Sharing the moment with Nascimento – and with Chuks Okoli, who also came on during the second half – made the occasion even more special, with four further Academy players among the substitutes.

“To do it with your friends and teammates just makes the experience a whole lot better,” Sealey said. “You can share that with them for a while.”

For a player only a few months into his Palace career, there has already been plenty to celebrate.

“So far, it's been a good journey,” he said. “It's a good start to a journey where I've built lots of connections, and we're quietly building something good on the pitch as well.

“In the future, we should be pushing for all the trophies.

“We should be in the finals, winning trophies – and that's what we're trying to do.

“And I can't wait.”