Presently, Arsenal are vying for top spots in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. However, it wasn’t long ago that Mikel Arteta took charge of a team that seemed distant from challenging Europe’s elite.
One such player who was bound to the club for a period of seven years spanning from 2016 to 2023 is Rob Holding, whose most recent stint was with Championship team Sheffield United on a temporary arrangement.
The central defender participated in 12 games for the Blades during the previous season, as Chris Wilder’s squad failed to secure a return to the Premier League, suffering a heartbreaking play-off final loss to Sunderland in the dying moments.
Rob Holding ends Crystal Palace period prematurely
Holding was under a temporary agreement from his primary club, Crystal Palace. He has now permanently departed from Selhurst Park, one year prior to the culmination of his contractual obligations – a stadium that was placed at number 64 on FourFourTwo‘s compilation of the top 100 arenas in Britain.
The former Arsenal defender only participated in a single match for the Eagles throughout his two-year period, which occurred in the League Cup.
Palace released a formal announcement on Thursday, July 31, verifying the choice to mutually dissolve Holding’s relationship with the club and extending well wishes for his forthcoming endeavors.
Holding made 99 appearances in the league for Arsenal, having transferred from Bolton Wanderers, who were then a Championship club.
He secured the FA Cup on two occasions with the Gunners, and further participated in 64 cup matches throughout his seven-year tenure.
Subsequently, the 29-year-old became a member of Palace in September 2023, in an agreement reportedly valued at £4 million.
