June 9 2009

Carl Fletcher

Crystal Palace midfielder CARL FLETCHER has moved to Plymouth Argyle.

The Wales international was released by boss Neil Warnock at the end of the season after struggling to hold down a place in the side.

FLETCHER, 29, spent time on loan with the Pilgrims last season where he played 13 times and manager Paul Sturrock was pleased to snap him up on a free transfer.

Sturrock said: "CARL has great leadership qualities. He leads by example and has been the captain of Wales.

"I am delighted to have him at the club and look forward to him being an ever present in the team next season.

"I tried to get him at the beginning of last season. He influenced the club when he came in February and, if I had managed to get him last summer, we would have benefited from that influence."

Peter Taylor brought FLETCHER to Palace from West Ham for £400,000 three years ago and he made 74 appearances, netting four goals.

Meanwhile, Palace beat off competition from Fulham to sign 16-year-old Arsenal goalkeeper Charlie Mann.

Eagles U18 boss Gary Issott told the South London Press: "Arsenal offered to keep him but they've brought in a foreign keeper, so he wasn't going to be their number one."