August 4 2004

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have swooped for Birmingham City midfielder Aliou Cisse on a season-long loan, claims the official Palace website.

The 28-year-old tough tackler wants regular first-team football after falling out of favour with Steve Bruce.

And Palace fought off competition from Leeds for the Senegal captain's signature who is eager to help Palace avoid the drop.

Agent Willie McKay said: "Aliou is keen to stay in the Premiership and help Palace survive in their first year back in the Premiership like he did in his first season at Birmingham."

He becomes boss Iain Dowie's sixth summer signing following the arrivals of Mark Hudson, Julian Speroni, Joonas Kolkka, Emmerson Boyce and Sandor Torghelle.