Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has hailed the signing of French star Yohan Cabaye, and said the midfielder will debut for the Eagles in Saturday's season opener against Norwich City.

The 29-year-old joined Palace for a record fee of £10million earlier in the window from French champions ParisSaint-Germain, but has been battling a leg injury in the lead up to the first game of the season.

Pardew echoed the sentiments of the football world in a press conference on Thursday when he described the capturing of Cabaye as somewhat of a coup for the London club.

"You're not going to get more of a top player than Yohan Cabaye," he said.

"He's a French international, he's desperate to play in the European Championships and he's come here, [as he sees Palace] as the stage to do it. Because the Premier League is where it's at for world class players.

"Yohan Cabaye could play for any of the top four sides, trust me he can. So can he play here? For sure. Will he play on Saturday? Yes. And is he an important signing for us? Yes, it was a fantastic boost to get him."