By Zim Sport Live Writer
Crystal Palace Academy have completed the signing of England-born Zimbabwean starlet Kurai Musanhi on a free transfer.
The 18-year-old full-back, who was born in north London to Zimbabwean parents, joins on a free transfer, having most recently featured for the first-team of Southern League Division One Central side Hertford Town.
Musanhi initially featured on trial for the Under-18s last season, playing in back-to-back wins against Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion which kick-started a strong end to the season for Rob Quinn’s side.
He will now slot into Darren Powell’s Under-21s side this season, as they prepare for the new Premier League 2 campaign.
After putting pen to paper, Musanhi said: “I’m really excited, I feel like it’s a big opportunity for me to really show what I can do… I feel like everything I need is here and with the right amount of work I can go far.”
Academy Director Gary Issott added: “Kurai is a left-back that was here with us on trial last season and did really well at Under-18s level.
“We tracked his progress through to the end of the season and then made the decision to bring him to the club this summer.”
Director of Academy Recruitment Wesley Awad also said: “Ben Herd, current manager and director of Hertford Town, made it really really easy for Kurai to come and complete an eight-week trial with us.
“He was excellent throughout the whole process and made it easy for us to get the deal done. Ben’s motivation throughout the whole period was to give Kurai this opportunity which he worked hard for and deserved.”
Young Musanhi rose through the ranks after signing with the Ben Herd Pro Performance Academy as a 16-year-old.
The past two seasons have seen the left-back become one of the first names on the team sheet with the first team, whilst also obtaining two U19 National League Alliance League Titles, A National Cup win at St Georges Park and a Champion of Champions win at Slough Town back in May, securing four National winners medals during his time at the academy.