CRYSTAL PALACE star Eberechi Eze revealed SIX clubs rejected the chance to sign him before his Selhurst Park heroics.
Eze, 25, has shone bright in the Premier League with Palace in the last four years and has amassed a total of seven goals and four assists in 26 appearances this season.
The versatile forward’s impressive appearances have attracted interest from some of the Prem’s biggest clubs, such as Manchester City and Tottenham, ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, the England international wasn’t always spoiled for choice throughout his career.
When starting out as a child Eze dealt with a series of rejections from various different teams , including Arsenal.
The Gunners scouted the attacking midfielder 2006 when he was playing for Sunday League outfit Bruin at the age of eight.
But the North Londoners released him after five years and that led him to London rivals Fulham.
However, the Cottagers also let him go after about two-and-a-half years.
Some hapless stints at Reading and Millwall followed but they both met the same outcome.
Eze then underwent two trials at Sunderland and Bristol City but failed to get in.
But the ex-England youth international finally got his chance in 2016 when Queens Park Rangers signed him.
The playmaker rewarded QPR’s trust with a series of impressive displays which led to a £19.5million move to Palace four years later.
Eze recalled: “So I started at Bruin, that’s a Sunday League team. Was there for maybe half a year before getting scouted by a few teams like Arsenal, Chelsea – more london-based teams.
“I decided to go to Arsenal, was there for maybe five years, played there then got released.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER
“Went to Fulham for two-and-a-half years or so, got released from there.
“Went to Reading for half a year, got released from there. The went to Millwall for my scholar, was there for two years then got released from there.
“Went on trial to a few teams afterwards. Went to Sunderland, went to Bristol City, got released from there – well not released, but didn’t get in.
“Then, thankfully to God, I got signed by QPR. They gave me a year contract.
“Worked for maybe three or four months, got offered a new contract and from there started to grow, started to get better and improve, play first-team football and from there I got a move to Palace.”
Fans couldn’t believe how their favourite clubs missed out on such a talent like Eze, who is poised to make a big money move soon with his Palace contract running until 2027.
Reports suggest the Eagles won’t let their star man go for less than £70m, especially after he dealt a crushing blow to Liverpool’s title chances by scoring the winner on Sunday’s 1-0 victory at Anfield.
One supporter tweeted: “It is MAD how many teams rejected Eberechi Eze.”
Another commented: “Can’t forgive Sunderland for this one, absolute stinker in hindsight.”
A third wrote: “The thought of Eze and [Palace team-mate Michael] Olise in the same #ReadingFC side is frightening.”
This fan said: “@SunderlandAFC f**k sake lads, dropped a right b*****k there.”
And that one pleaded: “Come home to Arsenal.”
