Crystal Palace sign van Aanholt

Crystal Palace have completed the £14m signing of Dutch defender Patrick van Aanholt from fellow Premier League strugglers Sunderland.

Van Aanholt, who joined the Black Cats from Chelsea in July 2014, worked with Eagles' boss Sam Allardyce last season at the Stadium of Light.

"We've finally got Patrick over the line. You like to bring in players you've worked with before and he should bring something to the team," the former England boss said.

"Hopefully his impact is instant. He was instrumental in Sunderland's fight for survival last year, not just as a full-back but for goals.

"We want him to defend well because we're conceding too many goals. He'll help at both ends."

The 26-year-old Netherlands international, who becomes Palace's second major signing of the January transfer window following the £12.5m deal with Leicester for Jeffrey Schlupp, submitted a formal transfer request to Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain last week.

"If a player openly states he does not want to play for our club, then it is clear that we have a decision to make," Bain said.

'In this instance and in regard to this particular player, we have done what we feel is right for Sunderland, which will always be our priority."

Van Aanholt says the opportunity to work with Allardyce again was a key factor in his decision to leave the Black Cats.

"Last year I worked with the manager Sam and as soon as he signed for Palace I thought there could be an opportunity," he told Palace's official website.

"Obviously Palace is a great club with great fans.

"I spoke to the manager a couple of times and he was really interested in signing me. It made my choice easy."

Photo Getty Images/Ian McNicol

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