Crystal Palace Football Club News

• Nickname:The Eagles
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Dougie Freedman

• Ground:Selhurst Park
• Capacity:26,309

Fonte welcomes Palace move

01 Aug 2007 - 09:37:01

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Crystal Palace's new loan signing Jose Fonte is looking forward to a new challenge at Selhurst Park, having finalised his arrival from Benfica.

The 23-year-old centre-half spent last season out on loan at Estrela Amadora and joins the Eagles initially on loan, with a view to a permanent deal.

He told the club's official website: "I'm very happy to be here at this club. Now I hope that the supporters all like me and I will work hard for that.

"I want to show my value and what I'm capable of, to work hard and help this club."

Palace boss Peter Taylor had earlier said of Fonte: "We've got him for 12 months, with a small loan fee payable to Benfica.

"Then there'll be a bigger fee to pay after a year, if he likes us and we like him, so we've got the option of making it permanent.

"It's been hard work at times and there were lots of other clubs interested in the boy."