Everything you need to know: Evann Guessand

First-team

30 Jan 2026

Crystal Palace fans, here is your latest January signing: Evann Guessand.

The 24-year-old arrives from Aston Villa, on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season.

A former Player of the Season winner at former club OGC Nice, let’s see what Guessand will bring to Selhurst Park.

Here is the lowdown on Palace’s latest arrival…

IVORY COAST INTERNATIONAL

Born in Ajaccio, France, Guessand holds dual citizenship, also an Ivorian international.

And he has already represented his country at the highest level, winning 19 senior caps and scoring three goals.

His first appearance came in June 2024 in a World Cup qualifying fixture against Kenya, with the debutant coming on in a left-wing role.

Just last month he went to his first major tournament with Les Elephants and made a big impact.

Coming off the bench in Ivory Coast’s third group game with just over 20 minutes to play, his side were trailing Gabon 2-1.

Guessand equalised with just six minutes remaining, with Ivory Coast going on to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory.

The versatile forward was then rewarded with a start in the Round of 16 – a comfortable 3-0 win over Burkina Faso.

Guessand then made his second consecutive start in the quarter-final against Egypt, who progressed after a 3-2 win.

VERSATILE ATTACKER

Guessand’s breakout season with Nice in 2024/25, saw him predominantly feature on the right wing, scoring 13 goals in 33 starts.

But he has also operated in various other positions throughout his career, sometimes playing off the left, but also as the central striker.

The Ivory Coast international also has experience of playing behind the central striker.

His former assistant manager at Nice, the ex-Leicester midfielder Lilian Nalis described Guessand’s style while with the club.

“He is capable of pulling something out of the bag to make the difference. If he gets in front of you, it’s difficult for defenders to get him back.”

EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE

The Ivorian will add continental experience to our first-team squad.

Should Guessand represent Palace in the UEFA Conference League, it will be the fourth different club he has played for in European competition.

He played for Nantes, Nice and, this season, Aston Villa in the Europa League.

Guessand has a decent strike rate in that tournament, with four goals in 13 starts. He’ll be hoping to add to that tally as Palace play major knockout European football for the first time in the club’s history.

A THREAT IN THE AIR

Although Guessand is capable of playing across the front line, he offers teams a significant aerial presence regardless of his position.

Standing at 6’2, the forward scored several thumping headed goals for Nice and Nantes, with whom he spent a season on loan in 2022/23. In addition, three of his 13 goals in 2024/25 were headers.

Guessand is equally happy to link play by picking up possession in tight areas and can move past opposition defenders to carry the ball up the pitch.

Welcome to South London, Evann!

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