The Big Dane
Joachim Andersen has become one of the Premier League's standout ball-playing centre-backs since arriving at Selhurst Park in 2021.
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Joachim Andersen has become one of the Premier League's standout ball-playing centre-backs since arriving at Selhurst Park in 2021.
After beginning his career in his native Denmark, he made his professional bow with Dutch side F.C. Twente, sufficiently impressing to be named the Danish Football Association's Under-19s Talent of the Year.
A move to Serie A followed with Sampdoria, where he became a regular and began to attract the attention of some of Europe's leading clubs.
Andersen joined Lyon in the summer of 2019, becoming the club's record signing and the most expensive Danish player of all time.
A crucial performer in their European run, he was part of the squad that knocked out Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals, before losing to eventual winners Bayern Munich.
After a series of strong performances at Craven Cottage on a season-long loan spell at Fulham - including captaining the side - Andersen was called up to the national squad for the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.
The 25-year old signed for Crystal Palace in July 2021 on a five-year deal, just weeks after competing in the semi-final of the European Championships at Wembley.
A confident ball-playing defender, he combines aerial dominance with calmness in possession, as well as his trademark cross-field diagonal passing.
His first season in red and blue saw him make 39 appearances in all competitions, forming a strong partnership with fellow centre-back Marc Guéhi.
2022/23 saw Andersen make 33 appearances in all competitions, as he scored his first Palace goal against Manchester City at the Etihad at the beginning of the campaign.
In 2023/24, Andersen was ever-present in the side, playing in all 38 Premier League matches. His 100th appearance for the club came with a clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Burnley in February 2024. Andersen was also voted as the Players' Player of the Season at the end of the 23/24 campaign, sharing the award with Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Andersen's stellar season saw him earn a place in Denmark's squad ahead of the 2024 UEFA European Championship.