CRYSTAL Palace defender Damien Delaney has signed a new contract with the Eagles until 2014, the club announced this afternoon.
The Irishman has been a revelation at the back since making his debut against Sheffield Wednesday on September 1, which coincides with the club's current 14-match unbeaten run.
He had been offered a short-term deal until January and there were rumours he had been lined up to make the switch across the Atlantic to play in the MLS League.
The 31-year-old had been deemed surplus to requirements at former club Ipswich Town under previous manager Paul Jewell, and when he faced the Tractor Boys recently in Palace's 5-0 win, new boss Mick McCarthy was surprised they'd let him go.
Not only has he sprung a number of attacks going forward with his mobile frame, he's chipped in with three goals as well.
The first came in the seven-goal thriller at Selhurst Park in the 4-3 win against Burnley at the start of October with a fantastic finish inside the box, while he popped up in the next game at home to Millwall to score the second Palace goal with a header.
But his best, undoubtedly, came at Leicester City a week later when he gave the Eagles the lead with a thunderous shot through a crowd of players following a corner.
And the left-footed stopper was then called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for a friendly match.
Since his arrival in SE25, Palace have scored 31 goals, conceded 13 times and kept five clean sheets.
The Irishman has been a revelation at the back since making his debut against Sheffield Wednesday on September 1, which coincides with the club's current 14-match unbeaten run.
He had been offered a short-term deal until January and there were rumours he had been lined up to make the switch across the Atlantic to play in the MLS League.
The 31-year-old had been deemed surplus to requirements at former club Ipswich Town under previous manager Paul Jewell, and when he faced the Tractor Boys recently in Palace's 5-0 win, new boss Mick McCarthy was surprised they'd let him go.
Not only has he sprung a number of attacks going forward with his mobile frame, he's chipped in with three goals as well.
The first came in the seven-goal thriller at Selhurst Park in the 4-3 win against Burnley at the start of October with a fantastic finish inside the box, while he popped up in the next game at home to Millwall to score the second Palace goal with a header.
But his best, undoubtedly, came at Leicester City a week later when he gave the Eagles the lead with a thunderous shot through a crowd of players following a corner.
And the left-footed stopper was then called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for a friendly match.
Since his arrival in SE25, Palace have scored 31 goals, conceded 13 times and kept five clean sheets.