Once Crystal Palace had missed out on their number one target Eddie Howe, who opted to stay at Bournemouth, the English Championship club immediately turned to caretaker boss Dougie Freedman to take on the job full time. Chairman Steve Parish has appointed Freedman, a former Palace striker, on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

He told the club's official website: "I would like to thank the owners of the club for giving me this opportunity and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"I will now look at both the playing squad and my own staff which hopefully we will add to sooner rather than later."

Palace are currently third from bottom in the npower Championship.