Ledley verdict

Will Joe Ledley be a hit at Crystal Palace? Read our assessment and offer your own verdict here.

Joe Ledley

To: Crystal Palace
From: Celtic
Fee: £2.5m Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Nationality: Welsh

Bio

With 50 caps for Wales, Ledley is an experienced left-sided midfielder with a healthy medal collection having won three Scottish titles in his time at Celtic. He began his career at Cardiff, making more than 250 appearances for his hometown club, before heading north in 2010. Ledley had looked set to sign a new deal with the Glasgow giants but after stalling on a contract, the club elected to cash in rather than allow him to leave on a free transfer in the summer.

He says

"I had a fantastic time at Celtic and now my challenge is to play in the Premier League. I look forward to it. It is every boy's dream and I am over the moon to have got it done."

They say

"Ask yourself this? How much would it cost to replace Joe right now? I'd be looking at £10million. You are not going to get someone of his experience and quality for less. At this time of year, do you want a car that you know will start every morning or one that's super-fast but starts once every few days? Joe is a Volvo footballer. Safe, reliable and although unspectacular, he will get the job done all of the time. You pay for value for money. In a few years, he will be at his peak. Then at 30 and 31-years-old, he will be phenomenal at bringing players on. The kids will see someone who has been there, seen it and won it. Off the park, there are no lurid headlines. There is no ranting when left out of the team. On it, he does the dirty jobs without fuss to let others take the limelight." - Wales legend Neville Southall, talking to the Daily Record.

Hit?

Tony Pulis was determined to add numbers to his squad, which saw Palace become the busiest Premier League club on deadline day. In Ledley, a deal which was completed just before the 11pm deadline, Pulis has acquired a player with European experience and the nous to have a positive impact on everyone around him. His set-piece delivery could also be an asset for a team likely to need to take advantage of every opportunity they get to put quality in the box in the final third.

Miss?

Having spent the past four years north of the border and with recent title 'races' something of a procession, Ledley will have to adapt quickly to a very different kind of challenge at the opposite end of the table. Can he adjust to playing in a side unlikely to see too much of the ball on a weekly basis?

Verdict

Not one to set Palace pulses racing but it is difficult to believe they could have persuaded a player to leave the Celtic first team a few short months ago. Pulis has put some belief into the club and this signing reflects the fact that their survival prospects are good. Expect Ledley to make a positive contribution.