Crystal Palace have made their first signing of the January transfer window as they announced the arrival of Killian Phillips to their Under-23 set up on Tuesday afternoon.
The Irish midfielder, who can also play as a centre-back, has been on Palace's radar for some time and impressed when he played a behind-closed-doors friendly for the Eagles' under-23s against Havant and Waterlooville in December.
Palace announced his arrival on a two-year deal on Tuesday from Drogheda United and said he would join up with Paddy McCarthy's under-23s, who play in the Premier League 2 Division One.
"I'm delighted to be here," Phillips told PalaceTV.
"Paddy was talking to me about signing for different clubs. He said to me it's like buying a home: when you walk into the right home you know it's the right place, and that's kind of how I felt at Crystal Palace the first day I walked in."
McCarthy added: "We are delighted to get Killian on board. He had a great season last year in the League of Ireland with Drogheda United and he fits the profile of young, hungry players we want at our club.
"We believe Killian has great potential to develop and all the attributes to have a career in the game. He will definitely add to the group both on and off the pitch with his experience of first-team football and I'm sure he will benefit from working with a fantastic group of young, hungry players in a top-class environment."
Phillips arrives at Crystal Palace with high pedigree, having garnered a reputation for himself in Ireland as a versatile player capable of playing in midfield and defence.
The 19-year-old made his first senior appearance for Drogheda in a friendly away to Dundalk in July 2020 and went on to make 31 appearances for the club in his breakthrough year in senior football, scoring two goals.
His former manager Kevin Doherty said of Phillips: "He's an exceptional talent and is proof that Drogheda United is a club that nurtures and develops young players to meet their potential."
The Irish club's chairman Conor Hoey confirmed to the Irish Independent this week that Drogheda would receive compensation for the transfer of Phillips, with the teenager having been contracted to the club for 2022.
