Crystal Palace Football Club News

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

• Ground:Selhurst Park
• Capacity:26,309

Kuqi in Eagles switch

01 Sep 2006 - 11:07:53

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Crystal Palace boss Peter Taylor ended his long search for a new centre forward by paying £2.5million to sign Shefki Kuqi from Blackburn Rovers on deadline day.

Taylor had hoped to add Carl Cort to his squad, but turned his attention to Kuqi after the Wolves frontman opted to see out his contract at Molineux.

The move presents the Finland international with the chance to play regular first-team football, after the arrivals of Jason Roberts, Benni McCarthy and Shabani Nonda pushed him out of Mark Hughes' plans at Ewood Park.

Kuqi scored just seven Premiership goals for Rovers after joining the club last summer, but he has proven credentials in the second tier following spells with Stockport County, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town.

The 29-year-old's arrival saw Jon Macken slip further down the pecking order at Selhurst Park and the ex-Manchester City striker has moved to Ipswich on a four-month loan deal.

Taylor has also moved to strengthen his midfield by raiding his former club Hull City for Stuart Green in a £75,000 deal.

The 25-year-old playmaker has, like Kuqi, put pen to paper on a three-year contract with the Eagles.