'I needed a change' - Leicester's Jordan Ayew explains £8m Crystal Palace exit

Leicester City have announced the signing of attacker Jordan Ayew from Crystal Palace on a permanent deal.

The 32-year-old has penned a two-year deal with the Foxes and moves to the King Power Stadium for an initial £5m plus £3m in add-ons.

Ayew departs Crystal Palace after making 212 appearances for the Eagles across all competitions over a six-year period, scoring 23 goals and providing 22 assists.

The Ghana international won Palace's Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season awards in 2018-19, before scooping the club's Goal of the Season prize with a memorable individual strike against West Ham United the following year.

Ayew chipped in with four goals and eight assists in 37 games for Palace last season and he made his final appearance for the club in last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Brentford in their first match of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign.

🔷 Ayew the Blue 🔷 pic.twitter.com/Pmetpy1xrG

— Leicester City (@LCFC) August 23, 2024

Ayew 'needed a change and new energy'

Commenting on Ayew's departure from Palace, chairman Steve Parish said: "Jordan has been outstanding and selfless in his service for Crystal Palace, both on and off the pitch, not just with his goals and assists, but his all-round play, dedication and willingness to do everything we have asked of him.

"He has provided a fantastic example to his teammates, young and old. We therefore wish him all the very best with the next chapter of his career - he will always be welcome back at Selhurst Park."

Speaking to Leicester's official website, Ayew said: "I'm very happy and really pleased to be here, I'm proud. It happened quickly but the most important thing for me is that I'm here and ready to start.

"In life, you always need a change and new energy. I took the decision to come to Leicester because I think it's a big club, first of all. I want to thank the club, the manager, the CEO, the chairman, everyone, because they fought hard to bring me to this football club.

"I think it's a big opportunity for me to show what I can do. I want to show that I can help everyone and add my little experience and quality to make the team better - hopefully it will work."

Ayew incoming ☎️ pic.twitter.com/XBtbwYtkKP

— Leicester City (@LCFC) August 23, 2024

Ayew: 'Cooper has assured me I'll improve at Leicester'

Ayew has revealed that he was persuaded to join Leicester by new head coach Steve Cooper, adding: "He just explained to me how he wants to use me and as a player you don't really demand much. But when you hear that the manager wants you, you just want to work under him and improve as well.

"Even though I'm 32, I still need to improve in a lot of aspects, and he assured me that I am going to improve as a player and as a person.

"I'm not just coming to hang around, I'm here to work hard and make sure that I help the team to reach the targets. Hopefully we have a great season all together with the fans and I'm really confident that this will be a good year."

Ayew becomes Leicester's seventh signing of the summer transfer window after Oliver Skipp, Abdul Fatawu, Caleb Okoli, Michael Golding, Bobby De-Cordova Reid and Facundo Buonanotte.

Leicester have confirmed that the versatile forward will now link up with his new teammates ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham.

Written by
Oliver Thomas