Palace starlet pledges loyalty

Crystal Palace have tied down their sought-after youngster Wilfried Zaha to a new five-and-a-half-year deal.

Despite interest from a host of Premier League sides the 19-year-old has committed his future to the Championship club.

Zaha had been linked with moves to both Liverpool and Newcastle following his starring role in Palace’s journey to the League Cup semi-finals this season.

With the high-profile loss of youngsters such as Victor Moses and John Bostock in recent years, it will come as a great relief to the London club that they have been able to fend off interest in another talented prospect.

“I am delighted that Wilfried has extended his contract with the club,” Palace manager Dougie Freedman told the club website.

“A lot of hard work has seen him develop extremely well over the last year and I look forward to seeing him progress even further in a Crystal Palace shirt.”