PREMIER LEAGUE
Van Aanholt: Crystal Palace sign Sunderland defender
The Selhurst Park outfit have completed a deal for the Dutch international full-back, who joins on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
Crystal Palace have signed left-back Patrick van Aanholt from fellow Premier League strugglers Sunderland, the London club announced on Monday.
The Dutchman, who has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal at Selhurst Park, arrives for an undisclosed fee, although British media reports said he could end up costing the Eagles as much as 16.4 million euros.
Played under Big Sam at Sunderland
Palace manager Sam Allardyce knows Van Aanholt from their time together at Sunderland and, according to the ex-England manager, he was "instrumental" in helping preserve the north-east club's top-flight status last term.
26-year-old Van Aanholt is Palace's second transfer window recruit following the signing of Jeffrey Schlupp from English champions Leicester City.
Palace are just a point above bottom-of-the-table Sunderland in the standings and Netherlands international Van Aanholt is set to go into the squad for Tuesday's league trip to Bournemouth.
Allardyce: "Van Aanholt brings something we've not got"
"He [Van Aanholt] is a player that brings something to the team we have not got and hopefully he has an instant impact," Allardyce said.
"We had great success together at Sunderland where he was instrumental in keeping them in the Premier League last season," added Allardyce, whose side were beaten 3-0 at home to Manchester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
"He will add pace and energy to our team, has strong defensive qualities and has the added ability to score and create goals. He will help in both departments."