July 4 2013

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace new boy Dwight Gayle says it's a dream come true to play in the Premier League.

Palace smashed their transfer record to take the striker from Peterborough for a fee reported to be £6million.

The 22-year-old was only playing for Bishop's Stortford in the Conference North a year ago and is astounded at his meteoric rise.

"I can't believe what's happened," Gayle told Sky Sports News. "It's so exciting to be playing in the Premier League next season.

"I just can't wait for it to get started and get a few games under my belt. It's just a dream come true really. If you'd told me a year ago I could be walking out at Old Trafford, it is unbelievable.

"I'm most excited about playing against big players, seeing what I can achieve and playing against Manchester United.

"I'm going to handle it because I think the people around me will keep my feet on the ground. It's difficult to deal with all the attention I've been getting but I should be fine."

He added: "After speaking to Ian Holloway, I think we are going to get on just fine. He's down to earth and seems pretty straightforward.

"He seems like a good coach and what he's achieved is very good so I can't wait to work with him."

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony reckons Gayle is so good, he can play for England at next year's World Cup.

"He could probably make Palace £20million in the next 24 months," MacAnthony said. "He is international quality for me. The kid is 22. He could be anything. His technical ability is unbelievable.

"I have never seen a striker hit the target [as much as him]. He has something like a 72 per cent on target ratio, which is unbelievable for a striker.

"He is the real deal. I am now a Crystal Palace fan for the next three years. I hope they go out and buy more players and do really well because, if they feed this boy, he will go out and score 20 league goals a season.

"People are saying we have had Palace's pants down, but they have got an unbelievable acquisition that can only be worth millions more to them. If he keeps them in the Premier League, they will be laughing all the way to the bank.

"I expect him to play for England. If Roy Hodgson sees this boy, and he does the job I think he is going to do, I would hope he is in the World Cup squad next year."