May 9 2019

Julian Speroni

Crystal Palace goalkeeper JULIAN SPERONI will depart the club at the end of the season.

The 39-year-old has spent almost 15 years with the Eagles after being signed by Iain Dowie from Dundee after promotion to the Premier League in 2004.

He has since gone on to play 405 matches – the fourth highest at Palace – and kept a club-record 112 clean sheets while also named player of the year four times.

Steve Parish handed SPERONI the Chairman's Award for Outstanding Contribution at last week's end of season awards to commemorate his long service.

"In the modern era you just don't get this kind of thing," said Parish. "You don't get players who've had the opportunity to leave but always done the right thing, always been available, always performed. This guy is an absolute model footballer. When you give your whole professional career to a football club, that's a lifetime."

Wilfried Zaha also paid tribute to the goalie, adding: “He’s been a mentor for me. Obviously, we play in different positions but whatever I was going through he would be someone I could speak to about anything.

"In the semi-final play-off against Brighton and then final against Watford, those two saves he made were not only defining for the club but especially for me as well. He’s a Palace hero for sure."