Ex-Arsenal defender Rob Holding 'excited' about Palace switch

Former Arsenal defender Rob Holding is delighted with his move to Crystal Palace.

Holding was sold to Palace on Friday.

Obviously I'm moving further south from where I'm from I'm south of the river now so I'm excited to get started and get involved," Holding told Palace TV.

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!

I was just starting my eighth season at Arsenal. It was the right time to step back and reassess where I want to go in my career, and go and play some first-team football. Luckily enough, Palace came up, so I'm very happy."

Holding also said: Obviously watching them, [Ebere] Eze and [Michael] Olise, they're real, young talent proving themselves at this level, so it's exciting to be involved with them as well.

Hopefully I can bring all sorts of assets in terms of experience in the Premier League, guiding youngsters like I have done when I was at Arsenal.

I was looked up to a lot by the youngsters, so hopefully I can fit into the same role here and help people on their journeys and in their careers.

But as a defender, they say the prime is a bit later in the 20s and early 30s. I'm coming here not just to be an older head and a bit of experience, but definitely in a good spot in my career. I'm ready to kick on and play as many games as I can."