September 19 2001

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace youth team player Theerathep Winothai has signed a three-year scholarship deal with the club.

The Thai international, 16, starred in Thailand's SEA Games gold medal performance this week in Malaysia. His cross was turned into his own net by Malaysian keeper Kamarulzaman Hassan, and ended up as the winning goal in the final to give Thailand a 2-1 victory.

Winothai came on as a late substitute in the semi-final against Indonesia and scored the winner in extra time, with a fine shot which went in off a deflection.

Winothai has been playing for the Palace under-19 side, while studying at Brentwood College. He will continue to play for the under-19s as well as the reserves in a deal worth around £310 a week.

Winothai said: "I was reluctant when the club asked me to sign the deal. I talked with my father, Thepchai, about it. The offer came quite abruptly. My dad wasn't slow to make up his mind that I should sign. So I did."