London (AFP) – Crystal Palace have signed England international winger Andros Townsend from Newcastle for a club record £13 million ($17m, 15.5m euros), the Premier League club confirmed on Friday.
The 24-year-old has agreed a five-year contract with his transfer coming on the same day that striker Dwight Gayle moved in the opposite direction.
“I’m extremely delighted,” Townsend told Palace’s website. “I had chats with the manager (Alan Pardew) and chairman (Steve Parish) before I signed and I’m pleased to be part of Crystal Palace’s future.
“By the sounds of things it’s going to be a bright one and I can’t wait to get started.”
Townsend, who joined Newcastle in January, scored four goals in 13 appearances for Newcastle, earning a call-up to England’s initial squad for Euro 2016.
Townsend is expected to play on either wing, where the talented Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie are regulars, and where Jason Puncheon also vies for selection.
Gayle, 25, has agreed a five-year deal for a reported £10 million transfer fee to become manager Rafael Benitez’s second summer signing in Newcastle.
