Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace
Striker Jon Macken has left Manchester City to join Crystal Palace for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old, who signed for City for £5m in 2002, decided to continue his career elsewhere after being told he had no future at Eastlands. "I was very disappointed to be told by Stuart Pearce I would not figure highly in his plans for next season," he said. "Palace were unlucky to be relegated last year and I'm looking forward to the chance to take them back up again." Macken, who failed to establish himself as a regular first-team player at City, was quicky snapped up by Palace because of his impressive goalscoring record in the Championship. "I felt as though things were just starting to come together for me at City. The team were playing well and there was a real buzz about the place," he added. "But I need to be playing regularly and having spoken to a few clubs, I was most impressed by Crystal Palace and in particular the manager and chairman . "They both have a reputation for being ambitious men and I was left in no doubt by either of them that a return to the Premiership was the only aim they had for this season."

Johnson defends Palace move plea
Striker Andy Johnson has responded to Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan threatening to report his agent to the "football authorities". Johnson, 24, wants a move to enhance his England prospects after Palace were relegated from the Premiership. "I don't want to fall out with anyone," he said. "I made a transfer request I felt I had to, to further my career and hopefully play in the World Cup. "No-one is forcing me to make this decision apart from me and my family." The Eagles have already rejected a bid from Tottenham for Johnson with Everton and Liverpool also linked with a move for the player. Johnson scored 21 Premiership goals last season as he forced his way into England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad, but he faces strong competition to keep his place. Johnson added: "I can say, hand on heart, that if we had stayed up at Palace then this would not have been an issue. I would be staying. "I believe my chances of going to Germany would suffer significantly if I'm down playing in the championship. "Mr Eriksson hasn't told me to leave Palace. But it's clearly a matter of commonsense. "I certainly could never forgive myself if I let the chance slip. If I stayed at Palace and missed out on my dream I would be tortured by it forever." However, chairman Jordan insisted again that the club would not sell him. "If Andy doesn't like it he can throw his toys out of the pram, but will that really help his England chances? I don't think so," he said. Jordan has accused the player's agent Leon Angel of trying to arrange the move to Spurs. "I have tired of this saga and I intend to report the agent to the football authorities," he added in the Sunday Mirror. "I have made it abundantly clear Andrew is under contract to Palace and he is not available for sale. "Outside influences such as Angel are distracting Andrew for their own gain." Angel is confident of his innocence and said: "I have acted completely correctly and have done absolutely nothing that warrants me being reported to the FA."

Gills youth boss could leave club
Gillingham's head of youth development, Darren Hare, could be set to leave the club, reports BBC Radio Kent. Hare is currently on holiday but is believed to be considering a move to take up a senior position at Crystal Palace's football academy. He moved to Priestfield to head up the Gills' centre of excellence, but then took charge of the youth sides a couple of years ago. A highlight was their victory over Liverpool in the 2003/04 FA Youth Cup. Hare is the brother-in-law of former Gills player-manager Andy Hessenthaler.

Reading resurrect Powell interest
Reading have rekindled their interest in Crystal Palace's Darren Powell - 16 months after nearly signing him. The 29-year-old defender came close to moving to the Madejski Stadium in February 2004, but the move was put on hold over an injury worry. The Royals have now approached Palace about a fresh deal - with Powell now reportedly considering his options. Powell joined Palace from Brentford - where he played under Reading boss Steve Coppell - for £400,000 in 2002. However, he started only four Premiership games last season, and spent a month on loan at West Ham in the autumn

Agent says Thornton is wanted man
Sunderland misfit Sean Thornton is wanted by Leeds and Crystal Palace according to his agent. Thornton, 22, has been told he has no future at Sunderland and his agent claims he is also attracting interest from Spanish side Malaga. His agent Lee Payne told Skysports.com: "There's interest from Leeds and Palace but nothing concrete as yet. "They're interested in Sean and would have to agree something with Sunderland first, but Malaga are a definite."

Palace to reward striker Freedman
Scotland international striker Dougie Freedman is ready to sign a new two-year contract with Crystal Palace. Freedman, 31, played 20 league games for Palace last season, but has impressed boss Iain Dowie sufficiently to merit a new contract. "I have been offered a new two-year deal, which I am very pleased with," Freedman told the South London Press. "There are a couple of things in the contract I have to decide on, but I don't see any problems" he added.

McDonald completes Palace switch
Bolton first-team coach Neil McDonald has joined Crystal Palace as assistant manager to Iain Dowie. McDonald, 39, agreed the move last week but has now completed the formalities and will take over from Kit Symons. Symons will assume responsibilities for the reserve team after 18 months as Dowie's assistant. McDonald joined the Trotters in 2000 and worked as youth team coach and reserve manager before taking up his coaching role with the first team. But despite playing his part in helping Bolton qualify for Europe for the first time in their history he said "the time is right to move on". He added: "Iain's offered me a fantastic opportunity and I'm looking forward to a new challenge. "Being a coach at Bolton, a lot of the time I would sit back, listen and learn. Now I'm going to have the added responsibility of being a number two and it's a challenge I'm looking forward to. "I've left Bolton on a massive high and feel it's a natural progression for me to go from a first-team coach and become an assistant manager. "I've been at Bolton for five years and am proud to have played a part in the club's success."

Everton bid for Johnson dismissed
Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has expressed his outrage at Everton's £6m bid for striker Andy Johnson. He told the News of the World: "What does Everton chairman Bill Kenwright think he will get for £6m? Andy Johnson's trainers. "Andy will be starting the season with Crystal Palace. Apart from anything else, it makes sound business sense. "Why even accept £10m for him if the club can benefit to the tune of £25m by getting back in the Premiership." Johnson scored 21 Premiership goals last season but could not prevent Palace dropping into the Championship. But his performances earned him an England call-up and Jordan is desperate to hang on to the striker. Jordan added: "Our opening match against Luton doesn't sound too glamorous but our intention is to bounce straight back. "Our best chance to do that is with Andy."

Ventola completes Atalanta move
Former Crystal Palace striker Nicola Ventola has joined Italian side Atalanta on a two-year contract. The 27-year-old rejoins a club that was relegated to Serie B last season and will be unveiled by the Bergamo-based club at a media conference on Tuesday. The former Italy Under-21 striker signed for Palace from Inter Milan in August on a loan deal until the end of the season. Ventola has also previously played for Bari, Bologna and Siena.

Saints swoop for defender Powell
Southampton have signed Crystal Palace defender Darren Powell on a free transfer, after beating off competition from Reading for his signature. The 29-year-old came close to moving to Reading in February 2004, but the move was put on hold over an injury worry. He signed the contract late on Friday after passing a medical at St Mary's. Powell joined Palace from Brentford - where he played under Reading boss Steve Coppell - in 2002 but started just four league games last season.

Freedman agrees new Palace deal
Crystal Palace striker Dougie Freedman has agreed a new two-year contract. Freedman, 31, has scored 95 goals in two separate spells for Palace, while defender Danny Granville, 30, is also set to sign a new two-year deal. But Uruguayan defender Gonzalo Sorondo and Greek Vassillis Lakis have not had their contracts renewed. Winger Wayne Routledge, 20, has sealed his move to Tottenham, with Palace set to receive undisclosed compensation - thought to be in the region of £2m.

Shipperley agrees to Palace exit
Striker Neil Shipperley admits his Crystal Palace career is over after boss Iain Dowie told him he is surplus to requirements at Selhurst Park. The 30-year-old hit the winner in the 2004 play-off final but played three times last season as Palace went down. "I met Iain Dowie and he said I'm not in his plans for next season," Shipperley told the South London Press. "I've not asked to go, but I think it's best if I do. It's fair to say my future at Palace is over."

Eagles upbeat on Johnson fitness
Crystal Palace believe Andrew Johnson will recover quickly from the hamstring injury that forced him to pull out of England's friendly with Denmark. The 24-year-old striker suffered the problem against Norwich on Saturday. "Andrew was in on Monday and he said the hamstring was a fair bit better than on Sunday," Eagles fitness coach John Harbin explained. "He had treatment and we're waiting for the scan results but we are fairly certain he has not pulled anything."

Morrison poised for Palace return
Crystal Palace are set to win the race to sign their former striker Clinton Morrison from Birmingham despite opposition from some fans. Palace have agreed a £2m fee for the 26-year-old, who was also linked with Norwich and Southampton, and are set to complete the signing on Thursday. "I wouldn't take the reaction of the fans as a factor in which player I sign," said Palace boss Iain Dowie. "I would be amazed if he didn't get a good reaction when he comes back." Morrison has been given a rough reception by Palace fans whenever he has returned to Selhurst Park since leaving for Birmingham three years ago. But Dowie believes the striker will be an asset to the club as they bid to bounce straight back to the Premiership. The 26-year-old has already arrived at the club's training ground and will undergo a medical on Thursday. "Decisions made on the transfer front will be what I consider to be right for the club," said Dowie. "And Clinton has scored a lot of goals for the club and he deserves a good reception." Norwich and Southampton were both willing to match Birmingham's £2m price-tag for Morrison. The Ireland international faced added pressure for a starting place at Birmingham since Walter Pandiani and Mikael Forssell made permanent moves to St Andrews this summer.

Winger Kolkka quits Selhurst Park
Winger Joonas Kolkka has left Crystal Palace after spending a year with the Selhurst Park outfit. Kolkka, 30, has had his contract cancelled by mutual consent and is freee to join another club despite the closure of the transfer window. The Finnish international made 28 appearances for Palace after joining from Borussia Moenchengladbach last July, scoring three goals. He played four times this term as Palace struggled in the Championship.

View Full Version: Crystal Palace