Crawley Town sign promising Palace pair on loan

Both youngsters have experience with the first team – Boateng has made two appearances for the Premier League side, in a 4-1 loss to Stoke in last season’s FA Cup, and in a 2-0 win over West Brom in the same competition last month. Kai-Kai, although yet to make his debut, has travelled with the squad to a number of Premier League games this season, and is hailed by Palace fans as the club’s next big thing.

Boateng, a central-defensive midfielder, is highly rated by Palace’s backroom staff and impressed in his one appearance this season. He was born in Ghana, but is eligible to play for England through his parentage, and will provide a brilliant option to strengthen John Gregory’s side.

Kai-Kai, a natural goal-scorer, has been prolific for Palace’s academy sides and was rewarded with a new four-and-a-half-year deal in January. The striker joined the Eagles’ at the age of eight and at one point this season hit eight goals in just five games. It surely won’t be long before Kai-Kai is scoring goals for the Palace first-team, and he will almost certainly find the back of the net in his loan spell at the Broadfield.

Manager John Gregory said on the club’s website: “Palace have a fantastic reputation for producing young talent and Hiram and Sullay are two of the best they have.

“Hiram is a really exciting midfielder who is excellent on the ball and strong in the tackle and Sullay is a very lively presence up front with terrific pace and an eye for goal.

“Tony has allowed them to come here to get experience and game time and they will definitely get that with the number of matches we have coming up.

“I’d like to thank Tony for letting us have the two of them. I’m sure they are going to prove to be very good additions to our squad as we approach a very busy time of the season.”