Crystal Palace's 36-year-old goalkeeper Julian Speroni has extended his contract with the Eagles until the end of the season. The Argentinian will remain at Selhurst Park for at least the next twelve months, following a clause being activated in his contract, being agreed by both his representatives and the club itself.
Speroni joined the Eagles back in 2004 from Scottish side Dundee United for a transfer fee of £500,000 pounds; this contract news comes just days before his testimonial match against his former employers next Tuesday. Julian has impressed time and time again throughout the 2014-15 campaign, proving that age is just a number when it comes to being a goalkeeper, making crucial saves to keep Alan Pardew's men in matches and has kept six clean sheets in the league this season.
STAT: Speroni has made 91 saves and 24 clearances in the Premier League this season (source: EA Sports/Opta)
He had this to say, on the club's official website: "I have one more season on my contract and am really enjoying playing in the Premier League. I have said many times this is my home and I will retire here if I can."
During Alan Pardew's pre-match press conference ahead of their clash with Swansea City (home) on Sunday, the former Newcastle boss stated: "He's [Speroni] an icon here. His testimonial is on Tuesday, so he's not going to be starting on Sunday. If fans want to see him they'll have to come down to the testimonial!" He was also asked as to whether he'd pinpointed who his number one goalkeeper would be for next season, to which Pardew replied with a firm no, suggesting Wayne Hennessey, who started in their 3-1 victory over Liverpool last time out, will be given an opportunity to prove himself.