July 26 2007

Crystal Palace

Jose Fonte hopes he can be a success at Crystal Palace after snubbing a top European club.

The Benfica centre-half joined Palace last week on a season's loan with a view to making the switch permanent if he impresses.

He said: "I had one proposal from Spain, and another from a team in Romania playing in a European Cup competition. But I was more attracted to English football, and believe this experience will be good for me.

"I'm very happy to be here. Crystal Palace is a big football club with lots of history, so I hope to help the team and be successful."

Fonte, 22, is looking forward to spending time with his younger brother Rui, who is in Arsenal's youth academy.

"I can help my brother, and he can help me too. We're alone in London, so we can spend lots of time with each other," he said.