Gary Cahill is delighted with the way he's been welcomed by Crystal Palace teammates.

The former Chelsea captain joined Palace in a Bosman deal earlier this summer.

Cahill said, “They've been very welcoming, the squad seem very, very close.

"[They have a] Great work ethic, everyone's humble, there's no egos. It's a really tight-knit group, so that's refreshing and good to be a part of.

“It's weird because your first day in is like your first day at school! You come in and don't know any of the staff. You know the players because you've played against them but you don't know them. It's all new but I appreciate the boys have taken me in and made my first week very easy."

He also told the Palace website: “The manager I'd worked with before, the manager and Ray [Lewington]. I enjoy the way they work. I enjoy the way they see the game and their training etc. The location, everything. It needed to be right so you can come with full motivation to move forward and when you get that feeling, it's right and you know."