September 15 2004

Dougie Freedman

Dougie Freedman has rejected a move to Leeds United because he wants to score 100 goals for Crystal Palace, by Joseph O'Shea.

Freedman and Tommy Black were both thought to be on their way to Elland Road this week, but neither player has left the club.

Manager Iain Dowie said: "I know they (Leeds) would like to take Tommy and Dougie, but there’s nothing imminent and no done deal. There’s lots of enquiries for my players, but they are still at the club."

Both players are favourites with Eagles fans but have struggled to hold down a first team place under Dowie. But despite the arrival of strikers Sandor Torghelle, Ivan Kaviedes and Nicola Ventola this summer, Freedman is determined to stay and fight for his place.

The 30-year-old striker has played 249 games, and scored 92 goals for the club in two spells. And having scored the goal the kept Palace in Division One three years ago, he is resolved to stay and secure his status as a club legend.

Freedman said: "To be fair to the gaffer, he gave me the choice. My choice was to stay and fight for my place, get back in the side and score goals in the Premiership.

"It took about three seconds to make the decision to stay."

Last time Palace were in the Premiership in 1997, Freedman was sold to Wolves for £800,000, a move he regrets. And despite falling down the Selhurst Park pecking order, his nine top-flight goals for Nottingham Forest have convinced him he can score goals at this level.

He said: "I have been here before and I left and it was the wrong decision. This time I want to give it a shot and if I have to wait a little bit longer I will.

"I believe in my ability and if my chance does comes I want to take it. I am not frustrated just yet but maybe in a few months time I will be."

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