Evann Guessand Returns to Crystal Palace on Season-Long Loan
Crystal Palace have brought back Ivory Coast international Evann Guessand, with the forward returning to Selhurst Park from Aston Villa on a season-long loan deal. The move gives Palace another attacking option ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Guessand, 25, is returning to a club where he made an immediate impression during his first spell. He initially joined Palace on loan from Aston Villa on 30 January 2026 after moving to Villa Park from Nice.
During his first spell with Palace, Guessand made 11 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals. In the Premier League, he featured six times and scored once, while his other goal came in the UEFA Conference League.
His Palace debut came on 8 February 2026 against Brighton & Hove Albion. Coming on as a second-half substitute, he provided the assist for Ismaïla Sarr’s winning goal in a 1–0 victory. He then scored his first Palace and Premier League goal on 22 February, producing a late winner against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Four days later, he also scored against HŠK Zrinjski Mostar in the Conference League.
Before returning to Palace, Guessand spent the 2025/26 season with both Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. Across the Premier League, he made 21 appearances, including nine starts, and recorded one goal and two assists in around 916 minutes.
His most productive campaign before moving to England came at Nice in 2024/25. He made 33 Ligue 1 appearances and scored 12 goals, establishing himself as one of the club’s leading attacking players. Crystal Palace’s own profile at the time of his first signing noted that he scored 13 goals in 33 appearances for Nice during his breakout season when all competitions are considered.
Guessand’s return is therefore another opportunity for the Ivorian forward to build on the promising moments he showed during his initial six-month spell in south London. His ability to operate across the attacking line could provide Palace with additional flexibility as they prepare for the new season.
The latest reports indicate that the move is being completed as a season-long loan, with the clubs working towards finalising the agreement.
