Barry Bannan can’t wait to begin Palace career

The 23-year-old had found first-team chances harder to come by at Villa Park in recent years and will link up with Ian Holloway for the second time, after playing under the Eagles manager during a loan spell at Blackpool.

Bannan, who has agreed a three-year deal with Palace, said he was looking forward to a fresh start at Selhurst Park. He had headed to Scotland to join up with the international squad prior to news of the move reaching him, but with the Scots’ hopes of World Cup qualification having ended long ago, he was not too fazed about having to miss the initial squad gathering to return south.

“I went back home to Scotland over the weekend ahead of meeting up with the international squad so I’ve had to travel back down but this is a great bit of news for me,” he said.

“I was at Blackpool with the gaffer here when they got promotion that year and that was the highlight of my career so far.

“I haven’t played this season and didn’t much last year so I really want to get going.”