Former Crystal Palace CEO Simon Jordan reflects on his signing of Nigerian striker Ade Akinbiyi, labeling him as the worst acquisition in club history. Jordan admits the £2.2 million transfer was a financial misstep, with Akinbiyi failing to impress, scoring only three goals in 24 appearances.
Former Crystal Palace CEO Simon Jordan recently reflected on his controversial signing of Nigerian striker Ade Akinbiyi, labeling him as the worst acquisition in the club’s history, according to Soccernet. During his tenure from 2000 to 2010, Jordan brought Akinbiyi to the club in 2001 for a hefty £2.2 million, but the striker failed to deliver on expectations.
In his time with Crystal Palace, Akinbiyi made 24 appearances, scoring only three goals. Jordan expressed his frustration with the signing, stating, “He just was useless. I wasted my time and money, and he wasted his own time.” He emphasized that everyone involved, including the player, the manager, and himself, shares the blame for the failed transfer.
Jordan recalled feeling pressured to support the manager’s decision to sign Akinbiyi, despite recognizing early on that the player was not meeting expectations. He remarked on the irony of considering a boat purchase instead of investing in Akinbiyi, adding, “I could buy that boat if I wasn’t buying that club-footed clown that I know isn’t going to be of any use to me.” Ultimately, he felt the signing was a significant financial misstep that did not yield the desired results, as Akinbiyi never established himself within the Nigerian national team, managing only one cap during his international career.
Source: Soccernet
