January 22 2008

Shaun Derry

NEIL Warnock admits he's thrilled to have landed midfield pair Shaun Derry and NEIL DANNS.

DANNS is an attacking midfielder who had been out of favour at Birmingham City and joins for £600,000, which rises to £850,000 if Palace go up.

The 25-year-old began his career as a trainee at Blackburn Rovers and had stints on loan at Blackpool, Hartlepool and Colchester before moving to the Essex club full time.

After 28 goals in 87 appearances, DANNS signed for Birmingham in June 2006 but saw just 11 starts at St Andrews.

Eagles boss Warnock believes DANNS can provide goals from the middle of the park in an areas Palace have been lacking.

"I have been looking at out attacking midfield options for a while," said Warnock. "I had looked at the goals coming from our midfield and that was a department we needed to improve.

"I have been looking at DANNS for a couple of months and am delighted we have signed him."

Derry, 30, completes his switch from Leeds United for an undisclosed fee after wowing the Palace fans during his two-month loan spell.

He has played a major role in the Eagles' 15 match unbeaten run in the league and signs a two-and-a-half year deal.

Warnock said: "Having Shaun and Clint Hill gives us a lot of experience in the middle of the park. The youngsters learn from him and he lifts the spirits of the players."

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said: "NEIL [DANNS] is a guy who, at this stage of his career, should be getting first-team football and we wish him all the best."