May 6 2007

Gabor Kiraly

Goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly has been released by Crystal Palace.

The Hungarian international's contract was up in the summer and manager Peter Taylor said he didn't want to renew it.

Julian Speroni kept goal in Sunday's 2-0 win at Colchester, while Scott Flinders came back from his loan at Brighton to deputise on the bench.

"Gabor has been freed," said Taylor. "I spoke to Gabor last week and there are a few different things (why he's been released).

"We've got two goalkeepers on the books now and they are under contract next year and with Gabor being out of contract, I decided to let him go.

"We thank him for his services because he's been excellent in the second half of the season so it was a difficult decision to let him go.

"Julian is looking good and finished the season well and I'm looking for Scott Flinders to come back and really push on."

Kiraly, 31, was signed by Iain Dowie from Hertha Berlin in 2004 and made 111 appearances for the Eagles.

The Hungarian, with the trademark grey tracksuit bottoms, was an excellent keeper and a big fans' favourite.

But he fell out with Taylor this season and was farmed out on loan to West Ham and Aston Villa.

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