Jørgen Strand Larsen
Jørgen Strand Larsen has explained why he had to leave Wolverhampton Wanderers for Crystal Palace in the winter market.
Crystal Palace signed the striker from Wolves for a club-record fee of £48m [€55.3m] on February 2nd.
The Norway international first arrived in the UK when the Molineux club signed him on loan from Celta Vigo in July 2024. He finished his debut season with the Premier League side with 14 goals and five assists from 38 matches.
In July 2025, Wolves made his stay permanent and secured him on a contract until 2029. A month later, Newcastle United submitted multiple offers.
However, Wolves didn’t entertain them, which didn’t please the player. Earlier in the season, he said he was open to joining the Magpies and wouldn’t give up hope of taking the next step in his career.
This was possible when Oliver Glasner’s side came forward in the last window and signed him on a permanent deal.
Crystal Palace offered escape route
Jørgen Strand Larsen failed to replicate last season’s form at Wolves this season. To put it in context, he managed only one goal and one assist fin 1,404 minutes from 22 league matches.
Wolves also struggled generally, resulting them in parting ways with Vítor Pereira and appointing Rob Edwards as his successor in November. They are now bottom of the table, trailing 14th placed Crystal Palace by 18 points.
Monday’s edition of VG has published an interview with the Norway international. He talked about his move from Wolves to Selhurst Park.
“It has been six months that have been completely hopeless. It has been very tough mentally, physically and in every way possible,” he said.
“I didn’t want it to end that way at Wolves, because it’s a fantastic club that I care about.
“I hoped things would change, but for me it was important to take a step forward.
“When you have zero wins after half a season, there is of course a lot of pressure from outside. We footballers also put a lot of pressure on ourselves. We have high expectations and everyone wants to take new steps and be ‘the main man’. Especially me who didn’t quite get it. So, it was tough, but that’s in the past now.”
On joining Crystal Palace, Larsen explained: “Palace suits me very well. It’s a style of play that suits me well. We have players who can put me in good situations, so I think it’s going to be very good.”
Norwegian’s Crystal Palace stats and contract
Jørgen Strand Larsen
Appearances: 10
Starts: 10
PL appearances: 6
Goals: 3
Assists: 1
Jørgen Strand Larsen has signed a contract until 2030 with the Eagles and Transfermarkt value him at €45m. There’s been a €5m raise since moving to Crystal Palace.