Joel Ward signs two-year contract extension at Crystal Palace

Joel Ward has signed a two-year contract extension that will extend his time with Crystal Palace up to the summer of 2023.

Ward, who joined in May 2012 from Portsmouth, has already served Palace for nine years and this new agreement will take his time in south London beyond a decade. Of the current squad, only Wilfried Zaha (393) has played more than the defender’s 273 appearances for the Eagles.

The 31-year-old right-back told Palace TV: “I’m delighted. It’s great to have committed the future to the club. We know it’s an exciting time for the club in the way things are shaping up, so I think with a new manager coming in and staff as well, it’s going to be an exciting period.”

Eagles chairman Steve Parish added: “Joel has played such a key part in our success over the best part of a decade, and he has consistently given the club his all during that time.