January 31 2012

Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace have dipped into the non-league market to land Michael Chambers and Kwesi Appiah on transfer deadline day.

Defender Chambers, 17, makes the short journey from Ryman League Division One South club Dulwich Hamlet and signs for an undisclosed fee.

Palace reportedly fought off interest from Manchester United and Everton to land the hot prospect who has penned a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Chambers said: "I am delighted. It's a big opportunity for me. Going from the level I was at to here is a big change. I've just got to impress with hard work and hopefully do well for the club."

Prolific striker Appiah, 21, has signed from Ryman Premier outfit Margate for an undisclosed fee, inking a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Appiah, who was reportedly linked with Blackpool recently, has netted 22 goals in just 24 matches for the Kent side this season.

"I'm absolutely over the moon to be joining Palace," he said. "There were quite a few clubs taking a look at me over the last few weeks but Palace is the one I wanted to be at."

Meanwhile, Palace have turned down a £5m then a £7m bid from Premier League club Bolton for wing wizard Wilfried Zaha.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle said: "I think it is documented now that we have made an offer, which we have. I don't think it is to the value that the Crystal Palace chairman wants, but it is an offer we felt was fair for where a very talented young player is at the moment."

A Palace spokesman added: "We have had a bid from Bolton that isn't worth talking about and no one is going anywhere.

"I think that after the financial problems the club has been in previously, many people seem to think they can kick us in the nuts."

And Eagles co-chairman Steve Parish tweeted today: "Sean Scannell staying with the club, very happy to have kept squad together."

Palace have extended Paul McShane's loan from Hull until the end of the season.