Ghana striker Kwesi Appiah has returned to English Premier League side Crystal Palace following the expiration of his loan deal with fourth tier side Cambridge United last night, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.
The 24-year-old – who was born in Thamesmead – was signed by Crystal Palace in January 2012 after a golden spell of 35 goals in 34 games while at Hartsdown Park.
He was loaned out to Cambridge United at the start of the season which resulted in the Ghana international scoring many goals resulting in his Black Stars call-up for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Appiah's loan deal with Cambridge expired on Saturday while he was in camp with the Ghana team as they are preparing for next week's tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
With Crystal Palace or Cambridge United failing to announce that the deal has been extended, the Ghana international will revert to Crystal Palace while his future is being discussed.
This could mean that he might play in the English Premier League when he returns from the Africa Cup of Nations - particularly if he excels in Equatorial Guinea, or he could be sent out for another loan spell.
The former Margate striker Kwesi Appiah completed the delightful journey of playing for the non-league side after being named in the Ghana squad for the African Cup of Nations.
He has previous stints at Notts County, AFC Wimbledon and Yeovil in the lower divisions of English football.
Appiah – who came through the youth ranks at Ebbsfleet before a controversial switch to Peterborough – was named in the Black Stars’ provisional squad for the tournament before Christmas.
He made his debut in a Ghana shirt, finding the net in a 3-0 win over Portuguese club side Olhanense in a friendly in Spain on Wednesday.
On Thursday morning he was named in the final 23-man party for the competition – switched from Morocco to Equatorial Guinea amid controversy over Ebola – by manager Avram Grant, formerly in charge of Chelsea and Portsmouth.