EBERECHI EZE’s journey from a tough Greenwich upbringing to Premier League stardom is a testament to his passion and resilience.
His distinctive goal celebrations and personal stories reveal a deeper connection to his faith and roots.
Eberechi Oluchi Eze is an attacking midfielder who plays on the left wing for Crystal Palace in the Premier League and the England national team.
He was born on June 29, 1998, in Greenwich, London, to Nigerian Igbo parents.
Eberechi grew up in a deprived area of South London, where he developed his passion for football by playing extensively in local pitches with friends.
His football journey began in various English academies, including Arsenal, Fulham, and Reading.
He eventually joined Millwall, where he progressed through the youth ranks but was released at the end of the 2015-16 season.
Afterwards, Eberechi signed with Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in 2016, marking the start of his senior career.
Eberechi’s breakthrough came during the 2019-20 season with QPR, where he scored 14 goals and was named the club’s Player of the Year.
His impressive performances led to a £17 million transfer to Crystal Palace in 2020.
He has made a significant impact for the Eagles, becoming a key player and making over 120 appearances.
Despite an Achilles tendon injury in 2021, he bounced back and had an outstanding 2022-23 season, finishing as the club’s top scorer.
Internationally, Eberechi was initially undecided between representing England or Nigeria.
After playing for England at various youth levels, he made his senior debut for the England national team in 2023.
He later represented the country at UEFA Euro 2024.
Eberechi Eze makes a cross-shaped gesture with his fingers after scoring a goal as a way of paying homage to his Christian religion.
The gesture represents his belief in Christianity, and it’s a way for him to express gratitude and acknowledge his faith publicly after scoring a goal.
Many athletes use personal gestures or celebrations to reflect their religious beliefs, and for Eberechi, the cross is a simple but meaningful way to honour his faith on the pitch.
He also used to celebrate his goals with removing his football boot and showed it off after scoring.
This celebration is a tribute to his partnership with New Balance and a nod to his Greenwich upbringing.
His boot design is deeply personal, symbolising his connection to the South East of the capital.
The blue color of the boot represents his first junior team, and celestial constellations pay homage to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
Eberechi Eze is a devout Christian.
He often speaks about his faith, emphasising how important it is in his life.
In an interview with GQ he said about his faith: “It’s massive. God is at the centre of my life: in everything I do, and everything I think about, I try to put God first.
“For me, that’s a huge anchor to have because it balances everything else in my life.
“It allows me to balance my relationships with the people around me, with my job, with everything.
I know I keep saying it, but I can’t explain how grateful I am to have God in my life because I don’t know how I would navigate my way through situations and life in general.
“I try to be as grateful as I can and to walk in that peace that God has given me.”
Eberechi Eze has scored a total of 26 goals for Crystal Palace.
In his entire professional career, including his time at Queens Park Rangers and Wycombe Wanderers, he has scored 51 goals across all competitions.
