Romain Esse has ended his short stay at Crystal Palace after completing a move to Coventry City in search of regular football.
The 20-year-old winger leaves Selhurst Park just one year after his arrival, having struggled to secure a consistent role in the Premier League side’s plans.
Esse found opportunities limited throughout the current campaign.
He featured in only eight senior matches and failed to score, as competition and tactical preferences restricted his involvement.
Coaching staff often left him on the bench, while selection decisions also sent him to the club’s Under-21 side for extended periods.
Despite his reduced first-team role, Esse continued to show attacking promise at youth level.
He scored twice and delivered three assists in just four appearances for the U21s, performances that underlined his desire for responsibility and minutes on the pitch.
Those displays strengthened his resolve to pursue a move that would allow him to restart his development.
Coventry City confirmed the signing through their official communication channels, announcing that Esse will join the Championship leaders on loan until the end of the season, which runs until June 30, 2026.
The move brings the Anglo-Ivorian winger back into the spotlight at senior level, this time in England’s second tier.
Esse began his professional journey at Millwall before Crystal Palace secured his signature.
At Coventry, he now steps into a squad competing at the top of the Championship table, with clear ambitions of promotion to the Premier League.
The club expects his pace, width, and attacking intent to add depth and variation to their forward options during a demanding run of fixtures.
For Esse, the loan spell offers a crucial chance to gain experience, rebuild confidence, and demonstrate his qualities in a competitive environment.
He aims to use consistent game time to refine his decision-making and sharpen his end product, with the long-term goal of returning to Crystal Palace as a more complete player.
Crystal Palace retain long-term faith in the winger. Esse remains under contract at the club until June 2030, and his market value currently stands at an estimated €10 million, according to Transfermarkt.
Both clubs view the loan as a step designed to benefit player development while meeting immediate competitive objectives.
