May 11 2009

Shefki Kuqi

Powerhouse forward Sheki Kuqi has indicated he is willing to sign a new contract with Crystal Palace.

The Finland international is now a free agent but is one of the few players to have a new deal put in front of him by the club.

Kuqi, who also is listening to other offers, ended the campaign as top scorer with 10 goals and a number of robust performances have impressed manager Neil Warnock.

Now the 32-year-old could extend his stay after admiting he is fully established in the area and has finally won over many supporters. He was transfer listed and forced to train with the youth side for making an obscene gesture to the fans at home to Wolves last season.

"I'm settled at Palace - my wife and I have got a circle of friends and we know places to go," he told the South London Press. "Sometimes people think it is all about football and that players don’t worry about anything else, but if those other things are in place it helps you to perform better.

"I had a quick chat with the gaffer and the chairman on Sunday and they seem to have been happy with the last couple of months. The gaffer seems to see the bigger picture of me in his team.

"My name to a lot of people was dead - I wasn’t even being mentioned by anybody. But I came back to not only be the top scorer but I did really well for the team.

"I got told I would never pull on the Crystal Palace shirt again and was never going to kick a ball for the club - but now I’m in the situation where I could sign a new contract here.

"A lot of people thought my career was coming to an end but I always knew what I could give and I just had to prove that again. Most people who had to go through what I did wouldn’t have come through and been in the position which I am in now."