Joel Drakes-Thomas made a remarkable senior debut for Crystal Palace at just 16 years old in their UEFA Conference League match against KuPS, earning the Player of the Match award, Softfootball reports. The young attacker's performance on December 18, 2025, drew widespread praise for its maturity and influence on the game.
Crystal Palace posted on their official X handle :
The game ended in a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park, with manager Oliver Glasner making 11 changes to give several academy players a chance. Drakes-Thomas was a central figure in a team of teenagers, becoming the fourth-youngest player in the club's history and the youngest Englishman to appear in the Conference League.
