Rob Holding joins Crystal Palace on permanent transfer from Arsenal in £4m deal

The Gunners have confirmed that their 27-year-old centre back has left to join the Eagles

Rob Holding has joined Crystal Palace on a permanent deal from Arsenal.

The 27-year-old first signed for the Gunners in 2016 and went on to make 162 appearances, scoring five goals. Holding also won two FA Cups during his time in north London, starting both finals.

After a seven-year stay however, it was decided that Holding was no longer a part of Mikel Arteta’s plans this summer. Arsenal rejected a £2million bid from Besiktas for the former Bolton defender earlier in the summer, while Sevilla were interested in taking him on loan.

Holding however, opted to swap north London for south London by joining Palace. The deal is understood to be worth somewhere in the region of £4million.

Roy Hodgson confirmed earlier on deadline day that Holding had been a player the Eagles had kept an eye on for some time. “He is a player who has interested us for a while,” Hodgson said. “Dougie Freedman (Palace sporting director) knows him very well.

“We’re working on the basis that you can’t have too many quality players in your squad. If he was available and it’s a deal that is doable I’d be very happy to work with him. Our squad is not that massive. There is space in the 25-man squad for another player. If it could be Rob we’d be happy with that.”

Holding is one of three players who will be leaving Arsenal this transfer deadline day. Nuno Tavares joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan deal that includes a £12million option to buy earlier on Friday. Albert Sambi Lokonga meanwhile is joining Luton Town for the season in a deal that will see Arsenal pocket a £500,000 loan fee.