Palace complete Mariappa deal

Eagles' manager Ian Holloway confirmed on Saturday that he was still looking to add four or five players to his squad, following their first Barclays Premier League win of the season at home to Sunderland.

Reading winger Jimmy Kebe was the first of those new recruits, penning a deal late on Saturday evening, and he has now been joined by former Royals team-mate Mariappa.

The 26-year-old Jamaica international only moved to the Madejski Stadium last summer but could not prevent Reading slipping straight back down to the Championship.

He becomes Holloway's 13th signing of the window and is glad to be back in the top flight, signing a three-year deal at Selhurst Park.

"I'm delighted to be joining Palace and playing in the Premier League again. It's something everyone dreams of doing," Mariappa told the club's official website.

"Playing there last season was a great challenge as it is the biggest league in the world and you're playing against the best players, so when this opportunity came to me I jumped at it.

'"Selhurst Park is always a great place to play, the atmosphere has always been amazing and I've had some great games against this club.

"I want to prove I can play at this level and I'm sure that will be the same for everyone in the squad as we aim to stay in the Premier League."

The deal for Hunt, 22, was confirmed earlier in the day, with the defender brought in to provide competition for Joel Ward.

Source: PA

Source: PA