Soccer

Crystal Palace win the battle for Steve Mandanda

PSG sign mercurial French attacker Hatem Ben Arfa on two year deal from Nice

Steve Mandanda is still invovled with the French squad who are in the last eight of Euro 2016. Photograph: Dave Winter/Icon Sport via Getty Images
Steve Mandanda is still invovled with the French squad who are in the last eight of Euro 2016. Photograph: Dave Winter/Icon Sport via Getty Images
Fri Jul 01 2016 - 13:47

French international goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has joined Crystal Palace - the latest piece of business on a busy day at Selhurst Park.

The France keeper 31, made 443 appearances for Marseille during nine seasons and won the Ligue 1 title and three French league cups.

Palace chairman Steve Parish said: “He brings a wealth of experience at both club and international level, and boasts a proven track record when it comes to winning trophies.”

Current back-up goalkeeper at Euro 2016 - Mandanda had attracted the interests of Chelsea - although the incentive of first team football with Alan Pardew's team ultimately swayed him. Also on Friday, Palace signed Newcastle and England winger Andros Townsend while striker Dwight Gayle departed in the opposite direction.

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Meanwhile French champions PSG have confirmed that former Newcastle and Hull forward Hatem Ben Arfa has joined them on a two-year deal after a stellar season with Nice.

The 29-year-old had been linked with Leicester and Barcelona but instead joins the Paris based club following the expiration of his deal with Nice - for whom he scored 18 goals last season.

“Signing with Paris Saint-Germain is a very happy and a proud moment,” said Ben Arfa on Friday.

“Paris Saint-Germain has always been a very special team for me, so to wear this jersey at the Parc des Princes is a childhood dream. It is an honour that the club is giving me this opportunity, making this dream come true.

“I will do my utmost to represent my new team to the best of my abilities and to make our supporters proud. Finally, I would like to thank OGC Nice, who helped me get back to enjoying my football again and gave me another chance to show French fans what I am capable of on the pitch.”