Crystal Palace have officially confirmed the departure of a former Liverpool defender
Crystal Palace enter the 2026-27 season in the middle of a significant transition following one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
After lifting the FA Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Conference League, the Eagles have begun a new era under Pierre Sage following the departure of Oliver Glasner at the end of his contract.
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The summer has also brought changes to the playing squad as Palace prepare for another campaign in the Premier League. Several familiar faces have moved on after helping deliver the club’s recent success, marking the end of an era for a side that enjoyed unprecedented achievements under Glasner.
One of the most notable departures was confirmed on Wednesday, with a former Liverpool defender officially bringing his long association with Crystal Palace to an end.
Crystal Palace announced that Nathaniel Clyne has left the club following the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2025-26 season.
The academy graduate departs after making 252 appearances across two spells with the Eagles and leaves as one of the most decorated players in the club’s history.
Clyne helped Palace win the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the UEFA Conference League during his second spell at Selhurst Park. Those trophies formed part of a remarkable period for the south London club, with the Conference League triumph also serving as Glasner’s final match before leaving the club.
In his farewell message, Clyne reflected on Palace’s rise during his career.
“When I started at Crystal Palace we were in the Championship. Now the club is playing European football, having nights like we did in Leipzig,” he said.
“I’m just so happy that I’ve been a part of that, it’s meant so much to me and my family. I just want to say thank you to the fans, thank you to the staff and all my teammates for helping me achieve this.”
Clyne first broke into Palace’s senior side in 2008 before joining Southampton in 2012. His performances on the south coast established him as one of the Premier League’s leading right-backs and earned him a move to Liverpool three years later.
Liverpool signed Clyne from Southampton in the summer of 2015. During his five years at Anfield, he made 103 appearances in all competitions and featured in the squads that reached the 2016 UEFA Europa League final and the 2018 UEFA Champions League final.
His time on Merseyside was disrupted by a serious back injury that sidelined him for much of the 2017-18 campaign. After Trent Alexander-Arnold emerged as Liverpool’s first-choice right-back, Clyne spent time on loan at Bournemouth before leaving the club when his contract expired in 2020.
Returning to Crystal Palace allowed Clyne to finish his career where it had begun. Although his role became more limited in recent seasons, he remained an experienced presence within the squad as the club enjoyed the most successful period in its history.
Now a free agent, Nathaniel Clyne leaves Selhurst Park having completed a remarkable journey from academy graduate to club legend.
Crystal Palace
Nathaniel Clyne