Winger signs on season-long loan

Brentford have signed Sullay Kaikai on a season-long loan from Premier League side Crystal Palace. The 21-year-old pacy winger signed today, Wednesday 31 August, ahead of the transfer window deadline.

Born in London to Sierra Leonean parents, Sullay joined The Eagles Academy at the age of 15. After signing professional forms on the successful completion of his scholarship, he joined League One side Crawley Town in February 2014 until the end of the season, making five appearances.

Sullay made his Crystal Palace debut in the Third Round of the League Cup in September 2014, as an 80th minute substitute in the match against Newcastle United at Selhurst Park. He then scored the home side’s equaliser to send the game into extra time. Joining Cambridge United on loan in November 2014, he made 30 appearances in all competitions for the Abbey Ground side that campaign, scoring six goals.

Last season, he appeared for Shrewsbury Town in two loan spells, scoring an impressive 12 goals from 26 League One appearances, making him The Shrews top goalscorer. He was then recalled to Selhurst Park in May 2016 and linked-up with the First Team squad. Sullay made his Premier League debut for The Eagles in the final game of last season on 15 May at Southampton as a second half substitute and provided the assist for Palace’s goal.

Dean Smith, Head Coach, said: “I am really pleased to have Sullay join us for the season, I am thankful to Alan Pardew and Crystal Palace for making this happen. Sullay is a player I feel will enhance our squad, he brings pace, energy and goals and is a player we have watched several times at Crystal Palace and Shrewsbury last season where he excelled. I believe we can help him on his development pathway and he will certainly help us fulfill our ambitions.”

Phil Giles, Co-Director of Football, said: “Sullay has been a priority target for the whole of this transfer window. We had to wait until the very last day for Crystal Palace to agree to our request for the loan. It was a risk for us to wait to see if this loan would happen whilst turning down other opportunities, so I'm glad that our patience has been rewarded. We believe that Sullay will be a perfect fit at Brentford this season, and look forward to him joining the squad at training tomorrow.”