Eagles land defender

August 23 2012

Crystal Palace have snapped up Cardiff City defender Darcy Blake on a three year deal.

The Bluebirds Academy product joins in a £350,000 deal after struggling to cement a place in the Cardiff line-up under current boss Malky Mackay and former manager Dave Jones.

Palace boss Dougie Freedman had been courting the 23-year-old all summer and has finally sealed the Welsh international's signature.

Blake tweeted: "Officially a Palace player. Can't wait for this fresh start. Loved every minute playing for Cardiff and want to thank everyone who supported me."

He made more comments on the official Palace website: "I'm happy to be here and am looking forward to a new challenge.

"I know quite a few of the lads from the Welsh squad and when we played against them last year a number of times.

"I'm looking forward to getting some game time and I'm happy to play whenever the manager selects me."