Yohan Cabaye has completed his club record transfer to Crystal Palace, and has set his sights on a top-eight finish this season.
The France international played under Eagles manager Alan Pardew for two-and-a-half years between 2011 and 2014, when his form earned him a £20million move to Paris Saint Germain. But the midfielder wasn’t able to command a regular place at the Parc des Princes, forcing him to seek a transfer ahead of the 2015/16 campaign.
Once it became evident that Cabaye would be available for transfer he became an immediate priority for Pardew, who has persuaded the Selhurst Park club to pay up to £13million for the player. And the 29-year-old is delighted to be back in England, and with a team he feels are capable of finishing in the top-eight this term.
“Palace finished very well last season and I think they can compete to get into the top eight,” he said. “I also know the gaffer and have worked with him before and I’m confident with him. I want to do my best for him because he’s made a big effort to get me, as well as the chairman, so I have to say a big thank you to both of them.”
Prior to the arrival of Cabaye, the Eagles record transfer fee was the £7million they paid Wigan Athletic for James McArthur last summer. The Scotland international went on to enjoy a fine debut season in the capital, and in what has been a good week for the club, he has committed his future to the cause with a new three-year deal.
“I’m delighted,” he told the official club website. “I had a fantastic time last year. I think the club’s going in a great direction. It was an easy decision. There was nothing really to consider. Palace is where I want to be, I’m happy and that’s the main thing in football. When you’re happy, you need to try to keep that and keep going with it.”
