Romain Esse has message for Millwall after record transfer across South London to Crystal Palace

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ROMAIN Esse said he was “grateful” to Millwall after his record move across South London to Selhurst Park. 

Attacking midfielder Esse, 19, signed a five-and-a-half year deal and the £14.5million fee shatters the Lions’ previous record for a sale, the £8million agreed with Middlesbrough for George Saville in 2018. 

Millwall developed Lambeth-born Esse through the age groups before former Lions boss Gary Rowett handed his first-team debate at the age of seventeen in 2022. 

Esse became a regular this season and is Millwall’s joint top-scorer in the campaign with five goals. He left The Den after six goals in 66 appearances. 

“Millwall have helped me a lot because I’ve been there since the age of nine,” Esse said on Palace’s website. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity they gave me to put myself more out there. It was a great place to learn as a young player, making my debut at seventeen. I’m grateful.”

Esse added: “I’m very excited to be here. It’s a good project and a good opportunity, so I just can’t wait to get started.

“For every young player, we’re all looking for opportunities, and I think this is the best place to really take my game to the next level and push on in my career. I’m looking forward to it and I can’t wait.

“The club’s going in a great direction. I think the next step in my development is very crucial. I thought this would be the best place, and I just can’t wait to start playing.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I can’t wait to play in the Premier League, but most importantly, for Crystal Palace.

“It’s a great ground, it’s a great stadium, we’ve got great fans. I just can’t wait to put a smile on the Palace fans’ faces when I play here.

“I’d like to say I’m a player who likes to get the fans off their seats. I like scoring goals, I like assisting. I just like making sure there’s end product, and just get everyone happy. That’s my job.

“As long as that’s done, I’m happy and we’re all happy. I just can’t wait to show them that on the pitch.”

Oliver Glasner’s Eagles beat West Ham United 2-0 on Saturday with a double from Jean-Philippe Mateta. 

Esse could make his debut against Brentford at Selhurst Park next Sunday. 

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