Olise’s Emotional Homecoming: A Star Returns to Selhurst Park
Michael Olise’s Heartfelt Return to Selhurst Park
On May 20, 2025, Selhurst Park buzzed with nostalgia and pride as Michael Olise, now a Bayern Munich star, made a poignant return to his former home to celebrate Joel Ward’s farewell game. The 22-year-old winger, who left Crystal Palace for the Bundesliga giants in a £50.8 million move in July 2024, was spotted mingling with former teammates and soaking in the atmosphere of the stadium where he rose to prominence. For Palace fans, seeing Olise back at Selhurst was a bittersweet moment—a reminder of his brilliance and the mark he left on the club.
Olise’s journey with Crystal Palace began in 2021 when he joined from Reading for £8 million. Over three seasons, he made 90 appearances, scoring 16 goals and providing 25 assists, despite battling hamstring injuries. His 2022-23 campaign was particularly standout, earning him the Players’ Player of the Season award after becoming the first Palace player to record double-digit assists in a Premier League season. Moments like his spectacular free-kick against Manchester United and a last-gasp winner at West Ham cemented his status as a fan favorite. His final season under Oliver Glasner saw him net 10 goals in just 19 appearances, showcasing the electrifying talent that caught Bayern’s eye.
The farewell game for Joel Ward, a Crystal Palace stalwart, provided the perfect occasion for Olise’s return. Social media posts from fans and the club captured the moment, with
@CPFC
tweeting, “Look who came to say hello Michael Olise returned to Selhurst Park to celebrate Joel Ward’s farewell game
#CPFC.” Another post from
@CPFC_
noted that Olise, now a Bundesliga champion with Bayern, was back to honor his former teammate, highlighting the deep bonds formed during his time at the club. The sight of Olise at Selhurst sparked joy among supporters, with one fan,
@ThePalaceWay
, remarking, “Crystal Palace are massive,” reflecting the pride in seeing two former Eagles—Olise and Jeffrey Schlupp, now at Celtic—share such a stage.
Since moving to Bayern, Olise has thrived, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists across all competitions by February 2025, earning praise from teammate Harry Kane, who called his ability “fantastic” and predicted further improvement. His Champions League performances, including a brace against Dinamo Zagreb and a crucial role in Bayern’s win over Celtic, have silenced early skeptics in Germany. Yet, despite his meteoric rise, Olise’s return to Selhurst Park showed his humility and connection to his roots. His 2024 Instagram post after leaving Palace read, “Thank you to everyone at
@cpfc
. Thankful for the journey… I’ll be forever grateful,” a sentiment that resonated as he reconnected with the Palace faithful.
For Crystal Palace fans, Olise’s visit was a chance to celebrate a “generational talent,” as one club source described him. While his departure left a void, his success in Munich is a testament to Palace’s ability to nurture elite players. As Olise embraced former teammates and applauded the fans, the mutual respect was palpable. His return wasn’t just a trip down memory lane—it was a reminder of the magic he brought to Selhurst Park and the bright future ahead for both him and the club he once called home.
