Crystal Palace fullback Joel Ward has signed a new three-year deal keeping him at Selhurst Park until the summer of 2021.
???? We’re pleased to announce that @JoelWard2 has signed a three-year deal to keep him at the Eagles until 2021! ✍ #ReWARDed
???? https://t.co/Gl5fmDhD29 pic.twitter.com/L72QvrZD3K— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 2, 2018
With the players returning this week for pre-season training as our preparations for the coming 2018/19 Premier League campaign step up a gear, Ward was one of the first pieces of business. The former Portsmouth Academy graduate signed for Palace for a snip £400,000 back in the summer of 2012 and having established himself in the first-team group, he’s gone on to make over 200 appearances for us through that time.
Last season the 28-year-old made 20 appearances and he’ll certainly be hoping for more than that in the coming campaign.
Fans were mostly delighted with the news, especially as it showed some progress on keeping those technically now out of contract and a number hoped that Yohan Cabaye and Bakary Sako would soon follow in announcements of their own. There were certainly dissenters though believing that Ward’s best days were behind him and we should be looking forward instead.
As for Ward specifically, here’s how fans reacted to the news.
An athlete ❤????
— Gav ❤️ ???????? (@Ebenezergood) July 2, 2018
YES WARD. Genuinely underrated and saved us from conceding many a goal. This man is PALACE.
— Nathan Huff (@Dazzman1231) July 2, 2018
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— Mandy morgan (@mandyswagsta) July 2, 2018
Yay!! Excellent news.
— Suesue (@SuesueF) July 2, 2018
Cabaye and Sako now.
— IVI (@xMTEDx) July 2, 2018
Spent force.
— Mr Swiss. (@chris_oxon) July 2, 2018
You're having a laugh. He's done well for us, but he's been seriously on the wane for a couple of seasons. Perfect time to release and replace.
— Mr Swiss. (@chris_oxon) July 2, 2018
Agree with that
— Keith Powell (@kpgardener61) July 2, 2018
Great! We’ve kept the worst RB in the league. Well done ????????????????
— CPFCPETE(SignRLC) (@cpfcpetesback) July 2, 2018
Not really the one we wanted was it lads
— James may (@james_mayy) July 2, 2018
Blinding news. Anyone that thinks differently needs to have a word with them self. Great pro that Wan Bisaka can only learn from.
— Col (@Orpingtondad) July 2, 2018