June 7 2012

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have snapped up Southampton defender AARON MARTIN on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old centre half helped Saints win promotion to the Premier League last season, making 17 appearances for the south coast side.

MARTIN was impressed by Eagles boss Dougie Freedman and hopes to continue his development with first team football at Selhurst Park.

He told the official club website: "Dougie seemed to sell the club so well and he seems a really nice person. For what he's already done (at Palace) he seems to be a great manager to work for and play for.

"What sold the club to me was that he was such a nice person and he sounded so genuine in everything he said to me. I can't wait to get started now."

Isle of Wight-born MARTIN joined Saints from non-league Eastleigh in 2009 after a successful trial. He is Freedman's second signing of the summer after right-back Joel Ward arrived last week.