More details have emerged regarding the deal that took Nigeria international Christantus Uche to Crystal Palace from Getafe on transfer deadline day, Soccernet.ng reports.
After snubbing a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Uche finally agreed to join Palace on a season-long loan deal with the Premier League club holding the option to make the deal permanent.
In effect, both Getafe and Uche's former club Ceuta are yet to receive a single euro from the deal, with payments hinging on a key performance clause. The 22-year-old Nigerian forward rose rapidly through Ceuta before joining Getafe in 2024.
But the transfer agreement came with an unusual condition: Palace must make the transfer permanent if Christantus Uche starts ten competitive matches this season. Until then, neither Ceuta, who own 12.5% of his rights, nor Getafe will see their expected windfall.
Speaking on Radio Televisión Ceuta, Ceuta president Luhay Hamido confirmed the situation as per Marca:
“Uche’s money has not yet arrived, he has to play ten games as a starter for the purchase to count, if not, he returns to Getafe again.
“If he plays those ten games, the loan with the right to buy is mandatory and the corresponding percentage would be counted in chapter one of the salary cap. If it is before the winter market, we could use it.”
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Ceuta's share could deliver more than €2m, a transformative sum for the third-tier club ahead of the January transfer window. Getafe, meanwhile, stand to pocket around €19m if the clause is activated.
So far, Uche has only appeared twice for Oliver Glasner’s side, once in the EFL Cup and once in the league, totalling just 50 minutes, all from the bench.
Against Sunderland, he was introduced in the 84th minute and made an immediate impact, with Palace manager Glasner later praising his “physicality” and hinting he could soon start.
That possibility is now crucial. Without a run in the starting XI, Uche’s Premier League dream could stall and Ceuta’s and Getafe’s payday may never materialise. With Palace also juggling Conference League commitments, Uche’s path to the team sheet could open sooner than expected.
For now, all parties are watching closely: Palace, who must weigh the risk of activating a costly clause; Getafe, who could reclaim their player if the threshold is not met; and Ceuta, who are relying on the funds to shape their future.
The next few months could decide not only Uche’s career trajectory but also the financial health of two Spanish clubs who invested in his rapid rise.
Before moving to the Premier League, Uche played three La Liga games for Getafe, scoring once and assisting another as they club claimed two wins.
