New Chelsea signing has two transfer announcements as Blues find clever way to get around Premier League rules

It’s been quite the day for Honest Ahanor.

The defender has joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan from Atalanta.

Getty

Ahanor will then become a Chelsea player next summer as the Blues struck a £40million deal with Atalanta for the teenager.

The transfer chaos has meant Ahanor conducted two different photo shoots on deadline day, posing with Chelsea and Crystal Palace kits.

How could Honest Ahanor sign for both Chelsea and Crystal Palace on the same day?

Given the complexity of the deals along with the Premier League’s transfer rules, some may be left questioning how it all works.

Per the Premier League’s handbook, a club cannot sign more than one player from the same club.

Palace have already signed Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea for the season, meaning they could not sign Ahanor had he gone to the Blues right away.

Additionally, Premier League clubs are not permitted to loan a player to another Premier League club if they acquired the player in the same window.

Again, that would have ruled out Ahanor joining Palace if he completed a move to Chelsea this summer rather than in 2027.

But because the Blues struck an agreement with Atalanta to complete the deal next summer, Ahanor is free to get a full season of Premier League action under his belt.

Why did Crystal Palace push to sign a new centre-back?

Palace were in the market for additional help at centre-back after Chadi Riad sustained an ACL injury in their season opener against Everton.

The south London outfit swooped for Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez and had agreed a deal to sign him on loan with an obligation to buy.

Getty

However, Palace withdrew over fears about Ordonez’s recovery time from a broken metatarsal.

They have now landed Ahanor who, at just 18 years of age, has proved he can handle the big occasions.

Ahanor made 35 appearances across all competitions for Atalanta last term, including nine in the Champions League.

His impressive displays at club level earned him a call-up to the Italy squad last June, where he won two caps.

Ahanor will now be tasked with helping Palace, who are involved in this season’s Europa League.

Steve Parish reacts to Crystal Palace signing Honest Ahanor

For Eagles chairman Steve Parish, the addition of Ahanor represents a major coup, especially so late in the window.

Getty

“Honest is an exciting young talent whose arrival offers further competition for places ahead of another European campaign at Selhurst Park,” Parish said.

“We are pleased to have him with us in South London.”

Ahanor could make his Palace debut on Saturday when Pierre Sage’s side take on Fulham at Craven Cottage, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.