Leicester City title-winner up for free transfer as club announce release

Jeff Schlupp has left Crystal Palace eight-and-a-half years after he first moved to Selhurst Park in a £12m transfer from Leicester

Leicester City title-winner Jeff Schlupp is available on a free transfer after being released by Crystal Palace.

The City academy graduate moved to Selhurst Park for £12m in January 2017, eight months after the club lifted the Premier League title.

Having played as a striker, a winger and a left-back during his time with City, Schlupp was most often a central midfielder during his eight-and-a-half years with Palace, for whom he made 247 appearances, scoring 19 goals and providing 17 assists.

He spent the second half of this season on loan at Celtic, under Brendan Rodgers and alongside Kasper Schmeichel, helping them to wrap up the Scottish Premiership title and featuring in the Champions League as they narrowly lost to Bayern Munich.

It’s reported that Celtic are keen to bring Schlupp back to Glasgow, but there are also suggestions that Championship sides Millwall and QPR are interested.

After his Palace exit was confirmed, Schlupp said: “It’s been an incredible eight years playing for this club.

“I’ve met some great people – the chairman, the gaffer, and all the staff I’ve met over the years – and it’s meant a lot to have played for Crystal Palace. A big ‘thank you’ to this group, who have achieved something so special.

“You ask anybody about the Palace fans, and they know about the atmosphere that they create, and the amount of times they’ve pulled us through in difficult times. They’ve been our 12th man – so thank you to all the fans who have always supported me. Hopefully I’ve done you proud. I’ll definitely see you again soon.”

Before leaving, Schlupp was handed the chairman’s award by Palace chief Steve Parish, recognising his impact across a number of years.