Mexican wonderkid Fernando Delgado is set to join Premier League outfit Crystal Palace on trial in November after becoming the youngest ever goalkeeper to make his professional debut in world football, according to Jovenes Futbolistas.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, you may remember, secured his place between the sticks at AC Milan before his 17th birthday. David de Gea, meanwhile, was 18 when he made his debut for La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.
The Spaniard was, however, a veritable veteran in comparison to Fernando Delgado. At 15 years, two months and 22 days, Delgado broke a world-record when he made his debut for American outfit Real Monarchs in 2021. The youngest goalkeeper ever to feature for a professional team in a competitive game.
Now, it was far from a dream start to the teenager’s senior career. Delgado conceded three times in a 4-3 victory over Austin Bold, and was even sent off late on.
Delgado’s place in football’s history books is still secure, however. And the Arizona-born U17 international can now dream of becoming the first ever Mexican goalkeeper to play Premier League football.
Will Crystal Palace sign Fernando Delgado?
“Fernando has continually proven that he has talent in abundance,” explains Tony Beltran, Assistant General Manager of the Monarch’s senior side Real Salt Lake.
Delgado will need to show more than just ‘talent’ as he bids to earn a contract at Selhurst Park, however. Per Jovenes Futbolistas, the now-16-year-old glovesman will travel across the Atlantic before undergoing a trial at Crystal Palace. That trial is due to last from November 3rd to the 19th.
Delgado has spent time at Barcelona’s Arizona-based academy; developing his distribution and honing an ability to play out from the back with his feet.
“All of our coaches were from Spain. So we play the same style as La Masia,” Delgado tells the Real Salt Lake website.
“(Goalkeeping coach Harambasic) he said I reminded him of (former Arsenal and Napoli ace) David Ochoa a lot.”
According to Transfermarkt, Delgado’s contract expires next month. As such, he is likely to arrive at Palace as a free agent.
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