‘Statement of intent’ – Crystal Palace announce deal for Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure

Crystal Palace have signed midfielder Cheick Doucoure from Lens for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old’s transfer is subject to international clearance.

Doucoure has signed a five-year contract with the Eagles.

The Mali international told Palace TV: “I’m very happy, I feel a lot of joy and a lot of pride to be a Palace player. I’m proud to be at Palace today. Palace is a historic club in the Premier League, so it’s an honour to be a part of this club.

“What I want him [Patrick Vieira] to bring me is what I’m missing in my game so far. I want him to teach me a lot of things, to reach the highest level. He’s been a really important factor in my signing for Palace. He told me: ‘I’m going to make you better, I know your game. I’ve known it for a while, so I know what you need’. I think that with him I’m going to work well.

“My game is not perfect yet, I know that I have to work with humility. It [joining Palace] is destiny and destiny always does nice things. I couldn’t sign anywhere apart from Palace. I’ve been an Eagle since my childhood [the nickname of Mali is the Eagles] so this is a good thing.

“I’m going to work hard and I will make sure they’re happy to have me as a Palace player.”

Palace chairman Steve Parish added: “Cheick’s arrival is yet another statement of intent, demonstrating our ambition to further improve the squad this summer.”

Doucoure is the Premier League outfit’s third signing of the summer transfer window following the arrival of winger Malcolm Ebiowei and goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who were both out of contract.

Reports have claimed the fee for Doucoure could be as much as £22million.

He played 34 times in Ligue 1 for Lens last season as they finished seventh in the table.

PICTURE: CRYSTAL PALACE FC