September 2 2013

Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace have snapped up Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old Scotland international has penned a three-year contract and is reunited with former boss Ian Holloway.

Bannan was frozen out at Villa Park and is excited about a fresh challenge with the Premier League newcomers.

"I was at Blackpool with the gaffer here when they got promotion that year and that was probably the highlight of my career so far," he told the club's official site.

"It is a big move for me to leave Villa and I would like to thank the fans there but it's a new chapter in my life now and I can't wait to get started.

"I went back home to Scotland over the weekend ahead of meeting up with the international squad so I've had to travel back down but it's a great bit of news for me.

"I want to get myself in the door and start training and hopefully get myself in the team. I haven't played this season and didn't much last year so I can't wait to get going."

Keep up to date with Palace's 2013/14 transfers.