November 8 2007

Selhurst Park

CLINT HILL admits he can't wait to cut his teeth into a new challenge at Crystal Palace.

The burly defender signed on a two-month loan deal from Stoke City with the deal being made permanent in January if he impresses.

HILL, 29, made his Eagles bow in the 1-1 draw at Cardiff City on Tuesday night and he is excited about playing in the red 'n blue stripes.

"It is a bit of a wrench to leave Stoke because I had a good time there," he said. "They were a fantastic set of lads there and I met some great people at the club.

"The fans were kind to me even though I didn't get to play as many games as I should have. But I think it was important for me to leave Stoke - I'm 29 now and it was my fifth season there.

"I felt it was right for me to leave and come to a new challenge. I think I might have gone a bit stale there and maybe stayed a year longer than I should have. But I'm looking forward to playing some games and getting my form back."

The Scouser began his career as a trainee at Tranmere before moving onto Oldham for £250,000 in 2002 and joining Stoke a year later in a £120,000 switch.

He was restricted to 84 appearances during four injury-ravaged seasons with the Potters but won the Player of the Year award in 2005. Now the left-back/centre-half will be plying his trade in London for the first time in his career.

"It's going to be different," he said. "I've been a northern boy all my life so it's going to be a big culture shock to me.

"But they're a great set of lads here and they will help me settle in. In saying that, winning and not losing games always helps."