Luka Milivojevic will leave Crystal Palace at the end of the 2022/23 season, upon the expiration of his contract.
The Serbian midfielder joined Palace in 2017 from Olympiacos, going on to make 198 appearances for the club across seven Premier League seasons, contributing to Palace achieving safety and establishing a club record decade-long spell in the top-flight.
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His 28 goals place him third in Palace’s all-time Premier League standings behind only Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha; he was the club’s top scorer in both the 2017/18 and 2018/19 campaigns, notably notching the winner in the dramatic 3-2 victory over champions Manchester City in 2018.
Milivojevic has captained the side since 2018 and has been praised for his leadership qualities by a succession of managers, coaches, and teammates.
“We have been lucky to have a professional like Luka at the club for so long,” said Chairman Steve Parish. “He has contributed an immense amount to the team both on and off the pitch and is a crucial figure in our long stay in the Premier League.
“His performances in red and blue have only been matched by his dedication on the training pitch, providing leadership to the squad and advice to young players in his role as club captain. I wish him the very best of luck for the future.”
“It has been a privilege to spend almost seven years at such a special club,” Milivojevic said. “I want to thank all of the managers, coaches, and staff members who made my stay here such an enjoyable one. When I look at the club now compared to when I arrived, I see a team full of ambition to reach higher and higher – you can be sure I will be following the results from afar.
“To the fans: there is something special about Selhurst Park, and the way you got behind me on the field, whether we were winning or losing, is something I will never forget. To play in the Premier League is every player’s dream, and to do it for so long at Crystal Palace has been an honor – I hope that I have made you all proud.”
Everyone at Crystal Palace would like to thank Luka for his services to the club and wish him the best for the future.
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Crystal Palace legend sends emotional message to fans ahead of summer departure
James McArthur has managed just three league games this season and will leave the club at the end of this campaign.
Crystal Palace legend James McArthur will leave the club at the end of this season after nine years in south London.
The Scottish midfielder joined Palace from Wigan in 2014 and has gone on to establish himself as one of the club’s legends backed by 252 appearances, and 17 league goals from the heart of midfield as Palace cemented their Premier League status year after year.
Not many including himself thought he’d be at the club for that long when he joined the Eagles from Wigan and admits it’s been a pleasure to serve a club as pure and classy Palace.
The midfielder said: “If you’d have told me when I first came to Crystal Palace that I’d be here for nine seasons, I’d have found it hard to believe because it’s rare in football to spend so long at such an amazing Premier League club.
“I would like to thank everyone: all my managers, the Chairman, [Sporting Director] Dougie Freedman, and the players present and past. I’ve had a journey with so many people here over the years.
“I also want to say a massive thank you to every one of the fans. The support that I’ve had personally, and the support that they give the team, is like at no other club. When times are tough, Palace fans really get behind the team, and that’s so important to all of us. I will always be a fan of the club.”
James McArthur departs as the third longest-serving member of the current squad with only Joel Ward and Wilfried Zaha making more appearances than him. Selhurst Park is expected to give him a massive send-off when they face Nottingham Forest this weekend.
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