Once again Palace were busy on transfer deadline day.
Who knows why clubs leave it to the final day when they have had a whole month to seal some deals. But no matter, the five signings that Palace confirmed yesterday were all good additions.
While the focus was on new players joining the club there were departures. Welsh international defender Darcy Blake left by mutual consent. He knows all about deadline day as he was a signing by Dougie Freedman at the end of the transfer window a couple of years ago along with Yannick Bolasie. It never really worked out for either party so he leaves with our best wishes.
The high profile departure was Spanish U21 international Jose Campana who signed on loan with German club FCN with a view to a permanent deal in the summer. He has not had the opportunity since an early season injury and there are suggestions that he was finding it difficult to settle. We wish Jose well and hope he returns to the club in the summer.
We run the rule over each of the five new additions to the squad and look at what they could offer.
Wayne Hennessey
The Welsh international goalkeeper has joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers. He signs for an undisclosed fee in a three and a half year deal. The 27 year old six foot six inch keeper played for Wolves 152 times in the eight years he was there. He had loan spells at Bristol City, Stockport County and Yeovil Town. He has featured for Wales at U17, U19 and U21 levels and has 41 caps for the senior side.
It is a well known fact that fellow Welshman Tony Pulis likes competition for the number one shirt. And he also likes a tall keeper. It is clear that he is not considered an immediate replacement for current favourite Julian Speroni but he expected to be more competition for the role that previous back up keepers Price and Alexander.
Jason Puncheon
We all know about ‘The Punch‘ but let us recap. He signs permanently from Southampton for an undisclosed fee on a four and a half year deal. The 27 year old is from the area so will feel quite at home. He has had several clubs in a career that began at Wimbledon and then MK Dons. He played for his last club Southampton 65 times scoring 8 goals. In his loan at Palace he appeared 20 times and scored 3 goals.
The deal was instrumental in bringing in Tom Ince. Having two loan players meant that a change had to be made. And this is a welcome one as since his awful penalty miss at Spurs his form has been instrumental in our form.
Scott Dann
Former Blackburn Rovers captain Dann signed for Palace for an undisclosed fee on a three and a half year deal. The centre back from Liverpool began his career at Walsall and after a few loan spells he moved to Coventry City, Birmingham City and then Blackburn in 2011. He has made 270 career appearances scoring 18 goals. He has represented England at U21 level.
The lack of depth at the centre back position makes this a very welcome signing. But he is likely to be much more than just a back up. While both Delaney and Gabbidon have had great seasons for Palace so far it only takes a suspension or injury to either leaving us with little options. The return of Paddy McCarthy of late has helped but it is expected that Dann will push for a place alongside Delaney in the starting line up.
Joe Ledley
The Welsh international joins Palace from Celtic for an undisclosed fee. He signs a three and a half year contract and joins the growing Welsh contingent at the club. The midfielder rom Cardiff began his career at his local club playing for them 226 times scoring 26 goals. He left for Celtic in 2010 and played for them 106 times scoring 20 goals. He has 50 caps for Wales scoring 3 goals.
The left footed midfielder is at home both in the middle of the park, out wide or in an attacking midfield role. A solid player with a good strike on him that should adapt to life in the Premier League without too much trouble. It is expected that he will partner Jedinak in the midfield which will free up Joel Ward to return to his natural right back position.
Tom Ince
This is the deal that had been on the cards for a while. Even though Ince had been touting several clubs all week looking for a loan deal for the rest of the season, he spent the majority of transfer deadline day at the training ground in Beckenham. It is believed that Liverpool have first refusal on his services in the summer but he could be just the attacking option that we need to help avoid relegation this season.
It was touch and go throughout the evening with the Blackpool chairman entertaining offers from other clubs included one from Stoke City late on for a permanent deal. But it is understood that Ince only wanted a loan to a Premier League club so that he can consider his options in the summer.
The 22 year old joins in a deal that sees Stephen Dobbie go the other way on loan for the rest of the season. From Stockport, the son of former Manchester United and Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince, began his career at Liverpool but never made an appearance for them. He had a loan spell at Notts County before moving to Blackpool where he made 100 appearances scoring 31 goals. He has represented England at U17, U19 and U21 level.
