Midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate has joined Crystal Palace on a permanent contract, ending a four-year association with West Ham United.
Kouyate, 28, has signed a four-year deal with the Eagles after being made surplus to requirements by Manuel Pellegrini.Embed from Getty Images
Speaking after his move - said to be worth around £10million - was confirmed, the Senegal international admitted that he felt it was the right time to move on after four happy years as a Hammer.
"It's been a long day but everything is good and I'm very excited to start with my new teammates," Kouyate told cpfc.co.uk. "This is the right time to move because I needed a new challenge.
"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 and I know he'll be a good manager. I also spoke to Pape Souare yesterday and he told me I had to come and now I'm here and I'm very happy."
Kouyate - who arrived from Belgian side Anderlecht in the summer of 2014 in a £7million deal - departs having made 147 appearances as a Hammer, having scored 15 goals.
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