Nathaniel Clyne hailed playing in Europe and winning the FA Cup with Crystal Palace as "special". Celebrating his 34th birthday, Clyne, who began his career with Palace in the Championship, has returned to the Eagles and won his first trophies with his boyhood club.
Nathaniel Clyne has hailed playing in Europe with Crystal Palace as “special” as the Eagles continue their maiden continental campaign.
On his 34th birthday, Clyne reminisced about his career thus far, which has seen him graduate the Eagles’ academy and then return after spells at Liverpool, Southampton and Bournemouth.
Clyne reached finals with Liverpool in the League Cup, Europa League and Champions League but was never able to get over the line.
So it was extra special to the 14-times capped England right back to return to where it all began and lift the oldest trophy in world football - The FA Cup.
Palace of course returned to Wembley in August and won the Community Shield and then began their first ever European campaign.
It is that European campaign which is particularly gripping to Clyne, this season after he was finally able to add trophies to his honours list.
He told the Crystal Palace website: “Playing European football, it definitely feels extra special that it’s with Palace.
“The fact it’s the first time in the club’s history as well, you can feel that. You know it means a lot to the supporters.
“It’s great we can all travel abroad together and compete on that big stage.
“I think we’re adapting well to it, a few of the lads have obviously played in Europe before, but also quite a few haven’t.
“It’s very demanding playing in the Premier League and then having a European trip, doing all the travelling, so the team deserve credit for dealing with it and the staff as well for organising us and making sure we’re as prepared as we possibly can be.
“Hopefully we can make a good run in the competition and try and win it. That has to be the aim.”
Speaking on winning the FA Cup, Clyne said: “It’s definitely top of what I’ve achieved.
“I have been in a lot of tournaments and a lot of finals, where I haven’t crossed the line or had the trophy at the end of it.
“So to lift the FA Cup was rewarding. I was relieved to get that win over the line, but to get a trophy with the club where I came through the Academy, it meant a lot.”
Clyne’s career is in its twilight, something he is acutely aware of.
But the dream of playing football at the top level is ongoing and he wishes to continue to live every day as it’s his last.
“I just want to continue what I’m doing. Stay fit, keep on enjoying playing football. Because you never know when it’s going to stop.
“I just want to stay fit and try and be as successful as possible.”