Crystal Palace sign James Tomkins for £10 million

Crystal Palace have confirmed the signing of James Tomkins from West Ham for £10m.

The former England under-21 defender, who joined West Ham at the age of seven, did not travel with Slaven Bilic’s squad for their United States tour last week and has signed a five-year contract at Selhurst Park.

"I am really excited to be joining Crystal Palace, a massive club and a manager in Alan Pardew that I know well and will always be thankful for how he helped me develop in my younger days at Upton Park," said Tomkins.

Chairman Steve Parish added: “I’m really pleased James has agreed to join us, he’s someone Alan has always wanted to sign from his own days at West Ham. I’m sure he is destined to become a huge part of our team as we look to build on the progress the club has made over the last six years.

“It’s been a really positive transfer window so far, everyone has worked really hard to make these deals happen and I think we are much stronger because of them.”

Tomkins becomes Palace's third signing of the summer, having already paid a club record £13m to Newcastle for winger Andros Townsend and around £1.4m for Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda. The club are also hopeful that an improved offer potentially worth £31.5m will persuade Liverpool to part with Belgium striker Christian Benteke.

(Guardian service)