May 28 2012

Joel Ward

Portsmouth defender Joel Ward has signed for Crystal Palace in a £400,000 deal.

The 22-year-old, who has signed a four year deal, made 95 appearances for Pompey since signing a contract for them back in 2008.

Palace's assistant manager Lennie Lawrence told the Official Palace website: "Joel has been a long term target for Dougie Freedman and this signing is a real coup for the football club.

"We have had severe competition for his signature from other Championship clubs and he has spoken to them as you would expect him to do.

"We are absolutely delighted he has chosen us and we firmly believe that he will be a Premier League player one day and he obviously sees us as his best way forward in terms of his career."