July 3 2013

Action

Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Peterborough striker Dwight Gayle.

22-year-old Gayle started his career at Arsenal but was released as a youngster.

He joined non-league Stansted in 2009 where he scored a remarkable 57 goals in the 2010–11 season. He was then snapped up by League Two's Dagenham & Redbridge, and went out on loan to Conference South side Bishop's Stortford where he scored 42 goals in the 2011-12 season.

After scoring 7 goals in 18 league appearances for the Daggers, Gayle went on-loan to Peterborough United and then completed a permanent transfer on a four and half year contract at the beginning of 2013.

He scored 13 goals in 29 league appearances for The Posh last season, putting him on the radar of several clubs.

Gayle completed his medical at Palace's training ground on Friday and will begin next season as a Premier League player with the Eagles.

Gayle spoke to the official website and said: “I'm ecstatic really. I just want to get pre-season started now.

"The chance came and I had to grab it because I might not get another chance.

"To be playing in the Premier League from where I've come from is a big achievement really.