Chelsea Defender Secures Palace Move

The former England international and Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has signed a contract with Crystal Palace. The contract is said to be worth £75,000 a week and will run for two years after the 33-year-old defender left Stamford Bridge after the end of the season.

The England international played for Chelsea for seven years and had lifted eight major awards. During his stay with the Blues, they have won the Premier League twice, the Champions League title, the FA Cup and the Europa League crown.

Cahill also played for Aston Villa and for Bolton. He was capped 61 times by the Three Lions and resigned from international duties last August of last year.

Cahill was a regular fixture for the Blues since 2012 but managed to be featured in the Premier League only twice last season.

“I am glad to be here, I think it is a good opportunity for me to continue my career in the Premier League, and to play in a good, exciting team. There are some very exciting, talented players here. I am looking forward to the challenge,” Cahill said in Crystal Palace’s website.

Cahill’s signature is the third signings for Palace. They have penned Stephen Henderson and Jordan Ayew this summer. The club is also linked with a loan move for Victor Camarasa from Real Betis.

Aaron Wan Bissaka left Selhurst Park for Manchester United after Palace sold him for £50 million. The Eagles however refused to let go of their forward Wilfried Zaha and have reportedly turned down Everton and Arsenal’s offers.

Aside from the Eagles, other clubs were also keen on getting the signature of Cahill. Burnley, West Ham and Aston Villa were said to be interested in acquiring the services of the defender.

Last month, Roy Hodgson, Palace’s manager said that the club needs to acquire more players, but they have only signed three players so far and the transfer window is closing down.