Wilfried Zaha has paid tribute to departing Crystal Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

With Speroni set to depart the club after his contract expires at the end of the season, Palace's academy graduate Zaha has praised the veteran shot-stopper, who made his Palace debut when the winger was just 13-years-old.

Zaha told the club's website: “Before I was even in the first team he was unbelievable.

“And then managing to meet him you see how much of a gentleman and a nice guy he is. I'm happy to have been at Palace at the same time as he is.

“He's been a mentor for me," he continued. “Obviously, we play in different positions but whatever I was going through he would be someone I could speak to about anything."

Speroni kept goal nine years ago when a then 17-year-old Zaha made his professional debut.

“We have a special bond," the 'keeper said. “I have known him since he was a young boy and I saw him grow to become the unbelievable player that he is now.

“It makes me really proud and he deserves it. He deserves it because I have seen him work really hard when he was younger – and he still works really hard. The fact that he is such a massive player for us, I couldn't feel prouder of him."