Crystal Palace fans have continuously been told across recent weeks that Chadi Riad is an Eagle.
We published that story ourselves here on We Are Palace – while the reliable Fabrizio Romano has frequently told his millions of followers that the Morocco international is a Crystal Palace player.
So, why has Chadi Riad not been officially announced by Crystal Palace yet? There is quite a straightforward reason…
Why Crystal Palace are yet to announce Chadi Riad
A story by the Mirror now sheds some light on why Crystal Palace are yet to announce the 20-year-old’s arrival at Selhurst Park.
Riad has passed his medical ahead of the £15m move – according to The Athletic – having already agreed personal terms on a contract running until the summer of 2029.
The reason behind the delay in Crystal Palace announcing the Moroccan’s arrival is down to the fact Morocco play two FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the next nine days.
Riad is believed to be focusing firstly on a clash against Zambia on Friday 7th June – before a second FIFA World Cup qualifier against Congo on Tuesday 11th June, so media duties in SE25, like an introductory interview and official photo shoot, have understandably taken a backseat.
Then, once these two FIFA World Cup qualifying matches are out of the way, Crystal Palace are expected to announce the centre-back’s arrival.
Nothing unusual
In truth, the transfer window does not officially open until Friday 14th June, and even in the event of wrapping up a signing early, clubs sometimes wait until this date regardless to announce their business.
Therefore, it is entirely possible that Crystal Palace would have waited to announce Riad anyway, even if he didn’t have to partake in two FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The main thing is that the Palma-born defender passed his medical without any hitches, and has shown a real eagerness to join so quickly since the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
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