Blackpool look to sign Nigeria-eligible Crystal Palace winger Ebiowei on season-long loan

ENGLISH League One side Blackpool has opened talks with Premier League side Crystal Palace about getting Nigeria-eligible winger Malcolm Ebiowei on loan for the forthcoming 2025/26 season.

Ebiowei, 21, who was invited to the Nigeria U17 camp in 2019, is currently on the books of Premier League side Palace but they are looking to loan him out so he can get vital playing time. Blackpool manager Steve Bruce, has subsequently opened talks with Palace hoping to make Ebiowei his second summer signing of Nigerian descent, following the arrival of Liverpool academy product Michael Ihiekwe, who joined on a three-year deal earlier this month.

Back in 2022, Ebiowei, who is eligible to represent England, Nigeria and the Netherlands, joined Palace from Derby County but has since struggled to cement a starting place in the side. After signing a five-year deal with the Eagles, he has made just five senior appearances and has been loaned out to Hull City, RWD Molenbeek and Oxford United in search of playing time.

Over recent weeks, Ebiowei has been notably left out of Palace’s pre-season matches against Millwall and Crawley Town, a strong indication that he is not in manager Oliver Glasner's plans for the upcoming campaign. In 32 appearances for Palace since joining the club, Ebiowei has only scored one goal and provided two assists.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have already finalised another loan departure, with Republic of Ireland U21 international Tayo Adaramola joining League One side Leyton Orient on a deal running until June 30, 2026. Like Ebiowei, Adaramola is also eligible to play for the Super Eagles but both players are yet to make decisions about their senior international futures.