Crystal Palace have completed the signing of West Ham United’s Cheikhou Kouyate, who has put pen to paper on a four-year contract at Selhurst Park.
Palace confirmed the deal on Monday evening, with the Senegal captain moving for an undisclosed fee.
“I’m so happy,” Kouyate told Palace TV. “It’s been a long day but now everything is good and I’m very excited to start with my new teammates.
“This is the right time to move because I needed a new challenge,” he added. “I have good memories of West Ham but I need to come here and give my best because I like the Crystal Palace project.
“I spoke to the manager [Roy Hodgson] and I know he’ll be a good manager. I also spoke to [Senegal teammate] Pape Souare yesterday and he told me I had to come and now I’m here and I’m very happy.”
Kouyate, 28, made 129 appearances for the Hammers since joining them from Anderlecht in 2014, netting 12 goals in the process.
He also represented Senegal at the World Cup in Russia, but was unable to prevent the Lions of Teranga from falling at the first hurdle after taking four points from their Group H clashes.
The versatile defender has amassed 42 caps for Senegal after making his debut for the West Africans in 2012, and has represented the Lions at the 2012 Olympics and two African Cup of Nations competitions.
He also featured for FC Brussels and Kortrijk after beginning his career with ASC Yego Dakar in his homeland.
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