Yohan Cabaye – From Paris to Palace

 

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has reunited himself with former Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye as the Frenchman arrives at Selhurst Park from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint Germain.

Palace will pay an initial £10m, rising to £12.8m with add-ons, for the 29-year-old PSG star, making him the most expensive signing in their history.

Cabaye began his career at home town club Lille, winning the Ligue 1 title and the French Cup in 2010/11 alongside players such as Eden Hazard, Mathieu Debuchy and Gervinho, and after making 243 appearances for Les Dogues, the Frenchman made the move to Newcastle.

Cabaye, who has earned 38 caps for his country, spent three years under Pardew in the north-east from 2011, and was a hit with the Magpies supporters. In his first season with the club, Newcastle’s return season to the Premier League after a one year spell in the Championship, the Frenchman was part of the side that finished 5th in the league.

It was around this time that the midfielder began to feature on a more regular basis for the French national side, and was involved in the Euro 2012 squad, despite exiting the competition at the group stage.

Upon his return to Tyneside, Cabaye was part of the Magpies side that reached the Europa League quarter-finals. His performances attracted interest from various top club’s, including Arsenal, but he remained with Pardew at Newcastle.

However, the following season, Ligue 1 champions PSG offered £19 million for the midfielder, and he left England having made just under 100 appearances for Newcastle.

During his time with Les Parisiens, Cabaye clinched his second French league and cup double, a feat he emulated the following season. He was also a key feature for the France squad during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

But the lure of playing in England’s top flight was too much for Cabaye to refuse, and the midfielder will team up with his former Newcastle boss Pardew at Crystal Palace.