Crystal Palace have released midfielder Killian Phillips just days after his senior Ireland debut.
The talented 23-year-old will now complete his permanent switch to St Mirren on a free transfer following a season-long loan.
Phillips has impressed in Scotland and was crowned the club’s Player of the Year and Social Media Player of the Year. His performances did not go unnoticed by the Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson.
He penned a temporary deal with St Mirren at the beginning of last season with an obligation to buy this summer. His deal will see him stay with the club for at least another year.
Crystal Palace announced their retained list on Tuesday, which also confirmed that Northern Irishman Cormac Austin, formerly of Linfield, will also leave the club.
High-profile names also leaving include defender Joel Ward and left-back Jeffrey Schlupp.
A dream come true for Killian Phillips
It’s been a proud week for Phillips and his family after coming on to make his international debut against Senegal on Friday.
He was introduced in the 67th minute of the 1-1 draw for Matt Doherty.
Speaking after making his debut, the humble Kilbarrack man described the experience as “probably the best feeling of my life.”
He added: “It was everything I wanted to do when growing up, so it’s a dream come true.
“The support I get in my local area from friends and family means the world to me. I have such a great support system, a lot of people who looked after me over the years, coached me, I have to thank them all now.
“I believe I am the first international from Kilbarrack so that’s something I can bring to the grave with me.
“I’m sure I will be sitting in the pub in 20 or 30 years’ time saying it to everyone who walks in.
“It means the world to me, and I hope it gives the kids in Kilbarrack something to look up to as well, that you don’t have to go down the roads of… you know yourself, you know what goes on in Kilbarrack, you don’t have to do that.
“If you have a dream and you work hard every day, you can do it.
“I am just a kid from Kilbarrack whose dream came true and the kids at the club now (Kilbarrack United) have someone to look up to.”
“I don’t just want to be a one-cap wonder”
Republic of Ireland debutant Killian Phillips speaks to @Corktod about the “proudest moment” of his life to date after coming on against Senegal #COYBIG #IRLSEN pic.twitter.com/HxoqKXjzrR
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 6, 2025
Pushing for a start against Luxembourg
Phillips is just one player vying for a starting spot this evening. It will be the last chance to impress on the international stage before the World Cup qualifiers in September.
The 6ft 2in enforcer may just be the physical presence that Hallgrimsson is looking for, judging by his pre-match comments.
He said: “We were looking for someone and now it’s a competition between three guys with this physique, if we can say, to show who is ready for the next step.
“Sometimes in games, you need to have that physicality and you need to have height.
“It is good to have those players knowing how we want to play. If called upon, it would be no problem for them to come in.
I thought Killian did well coming on in the last game even though he was only with us three days. He got his job, understood it and did well.”
Ireland are currently favourites to beat Luxembourg and extend their three-game unbeaten run with best football betting sites.
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