September 1 2017

Mamadou Sakho

Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Mamadou Sakho from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee.

The centre half is back with the Eagles after a successful loan spell last season where he played a key role in the club's escape from relegation.

He only played eight games, but his exceptional performances led to him being nominated for the Player of the Year award despite a knee injury ending his campaign prematurely.

The 27-year-old joined Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain for £18m in September 2013 and made 80 appearances for the Reds but he fell out with manager Jurgen Klopp.

Palace eventually negotiated a reported fee of £26m late on transfer deadline day after having previous bids for the 28-cap French international turned down.

Sakho, who signed a four-year deal, told the Palace website: "I am really excited about playing for the Palace fans again, but in football the past is the past and you need to think about today and tomorrow.

"Last year we did a good job and we need to prove that again and have a good objective. If we put all of our power together, we will have a great season."

#TheSoldierIsBack ????https://t.co/utMcYSDkhb ???????? #CPFC ???? pic.twitter.com/kZ1cWvH1rG

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) September 1, 2017