KAA Gent has strengthened itself with Abdul Aziz Ouedraogo, a 20-year-old central defender. He comes over from Crystal Palace on a free transfer and joins the selection of coach Thomas Matton immediately. Ouedraogo was born in 2005 in the Ivory Coast and moved to England at a young age, where he joined the youth academy of Crystal Palace. The past two seasons, the defender was loaned out to SK Beveren. There he made his debut in the Challenger Pro League, but his playing time in Waasland was limited. During the unbeaten championship year of Beveren, Ouedraogo only played 350 minutes. The Ivorian was therefore mostly a substitute and could hardly fight for a place in the starting lineup. Last summer, he returned to Crystal Palace, but his contract expired. The English club decided not to continue with the defender, so Ouedraogo had to look for a new challenge. He has now found it at Jong KAA Gent. At the Gentese reserves, Ouedraogo gets the chance to prove himself again in the second level of Belgian football. KAA Gent describes the Ivorian as a physically strong defender who already knows the Belgian competition. According to Transfermarkt, his current market value is estimated at around 200,000 euros. At Jong KAA Gent, Ouedraogo hopes to collect playing minutes again and show his qualities in the Challenger Pro League. Notably, Ouedraogo is already the second player that Jong KAA Gent has taken over on a free transfer from Crystal Palace this summer. Last month, the club also announced the arrival of Jemiah Umolu. Also the 20-year-old Umolu had his education at Crystal Palace. The striker can present excellent statistics in the Premier League 2 and did professional experience last season at Bromley FC in League Two. With Ouedraogo, Jong Gent now takes in a second young player with a past at the London club. For the 20-year-old central defender, it will be mainly a matter of quickly getting into the team of Matton. After two seasons where his playing time was limited, there is a new chance for Jong KAA Gent to show itself in Belgian professional football. KAA Gent currently sees the 4th place in the Jupiler Pro League, with 3 points, 1 win, 0 draws and 0 losses from 1 game. The Gentese team scored 2 goals and conceded 0 goals. Their next game is on 13 February 2027 against St. Truiden. Matisse Samoise is currently sidelined.