Double boost for Roy Hodgson: ‘tremendous’ deadline day signing ready ahead of Wolverhampton game

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson will hope to have deadline day signing Rob Holding on the bench for their game against Wolves later today.

The former Arsenal defender switched from north London to south London on deadline after seven years with the Gunners. Holding signed a three-year deal with Palace and the south London club will pay around £2m initially before another £2million in easily attainable add-ons.

The player said after signing his contract: “I’m excited to get started and get involved.

“Playing against Crystal Palace the number of years I have, seeing the fans and how intimidating Selhurst Park can be, and how loud it can get, I’m looking forward to being on the right side of that this time!”

He will now hope that he settles in straight away after being criticised heavily last season when he stepped into Saliba in the run into the Premier League campaign where they fell short to Manchester City.

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish welcomed him to the club and described him as having ‘tremendous quality’: “Rob is a player who will bring tremendous quality, possessing considerable Premier League experience for his age. Rob gives us options in two positions at the back, and we warmly welcome him to Crystal Palace.”

Holding, who has not featured so far this season, joined Arsenal from Bolton seven years ago and has made a total of 162 appearances for the Gunners.