January 5 2010

Simon Thomas

Crystal Palace have released striker Simon Thomas by mutual consent.

The 25-year-old joined from Ryman Premier Division side Boreham Wood for an undisclosed fee in July 2008.

But Thomas has struggled to break into the Eagles first team and made just one substitute appearance in a 2-1 defeat at Wolves last season.

He was farmed out on loan to Grays Athletic, Rotherham United, Ebbsfleet United and Darlington for first team action.

Thomas said: "The gaffer felt I wasn’t in his plans and it would benefit me to go out now and look for another club.

"But all my time at the club has done is benefit me. I’m a lot wiser and full-time training has helped me develop myself - I’m a better player then I was before."