"Crystal Palace offered me a bad deal" - Semi Ajayi

Semi Ajayi. A professional footballer, plays for English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion and the Nigeria National Team as a defender or defensive midfielder. Born in Crayford, England on 9 November 1993. Ajayi received his first call up to the Nigeria Senior National Team in August 2018 for 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Made his debut against Seychelles in the 2019 Nations Cup qualifiers coming on in the 73rd minutes for injured Chidozie Awaziem. Photo: Getty

Super Eagles defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi has revealed he turned down advances from Crystal Palace to sign for Arsenal in 2013.


The 26-year-old began his career in Charlton Athletics academy, but his talent attracted Crystal Palace after failing to get a deal with Brentford and Norwich City.

Ajayi disclosed in an Instagram session that he almost joined the Eagles after a successful trial, but he was forced to reject their offer.

Ajayi later proceeded to Arsenal for another trial, where he finally landed a three-year deal after another two-week trial.

“I went on another trial at Crystal Palace After two weeks, Palace offered me a deal but it was a bad deal, it wasn’t a good deal and my agent was telling me am I not going to sign that and the manager said I’m not going to get anything else.

“The next day my agent told me he had been on the phone with Arsenal and they wanted me to come in for a trial."

Ajayi spent two years with the Gunners but did not make a first-team appearance, with the defender an unused substitute in the Premier League and League Cup on four separate occasions in the 2014-15 season.

The West Bromwich Albion defender reveals he was frustrated with his lack of first-team opportunities at the club but was keen to extend his contract with the club in order to continue his development.

“Wenger said if I can find another club that wants to take me and I’m happy to go, he’d be happy to let me leave.”

He later joined Cardiff City on loan in March 2015, before joining the Bluebirds on a two-year deal following the end of his contract with Arsenal.
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