Julian Speroni says had he left Crystal Palace this summer that it could have been "more difficult" for him to run his successful restaurant in Purley.
The goalkeeper has had hundreds of Eagles fans visiting his Speroni establishment, but the plan was to always stay in south London as long as he and the club could agree terms.
Depending on circumstances this season, the one-year deal could turn into a two-year one.
The restaurant continues to thrive and Speroni will carry on meeting and greeting a number of customers and Palace fans in the next year on a regular basis.
"If I had to move north or somewhere else then yes it may have been more difficult," he said.
"Football and the business run completely separate though. I have my business partner who lives here plus my brother works there so it I don't think it would have been a big, big problem.
"Of course, it's better that I am here because I like to go there, meet people and talk to the fans that come to eat there. I like that feedback with the customers and fans."
