Crystal Palace post 52-word statement on former Gunner’s exit | OneFootball

Rob Holding has officially left Crystal Palace ahead of his move to the Colorado Rapids, with his former club sharing a very brief statement on the news.

Photo via Arsenal on Instagram

Crystal Palace confirmed the departure of former Arsenal defender Rob Holding this week, releasing a short statement saying only the following:

“Crystal Palace F.C. can confirm that Rob Holding has left the club.

“Holding joined Palace in September 2023 from fellow Premier League side Arsenal. The defender spent the latter half of last season on loan at Sheffield United, where he played 12 times.

“The club wishes Rob well for his future career.”

Photo via Holding on Instagram

With Holding playing just one first-team match for Palace in his two seasons at the club and falling out with manager Oliver Glasner, it’s perhaps not surprising they didn’t have more to say about him.

As for what’s next, Dom Smith confirms for Standard Sport that the player has undergone a medical with the Colorado Rapids ahead of a free transfer to the MLS club.

The Rapids are owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, just like Arsenal, so it will be Holding’s second spell under the same owners.

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Arsenal sold Holding to Palace for just £1m, with another £2.5m potentially due in add-ons. But it’s unlikely any of those add-ons were activated, denying the Gunners further payments.

Yet despite the low fee, Palace have still ended up making a loss on the centre-back, losing him for free.

Before Holding’s loan to Sheffield United in January, he spent a year and five months without playing a single senior fixture, with Palace choosing to completely freeze him out.

The BBC reported last October that the player had a disagreement about a post-match running session in August 2024, and he didn’t make a single matchday squad after that.

As soon as his transfer is confirmed, Holding can now make a fresh start in Colorado.