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      Norwich City release FOURTEEN players including Euro 2024 star following Jack Wilshere manager announcement

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      NORWICH CITY have brutally wielded the axe following the end of the Championship season, releasing a whopping 14 players. The Canaries have even let a star of last summer’s European Championships depart.Jack Wilshere is Norwich interim boss but won’t land the permanent jobCredit: RexThe Carrow Road cull comes just days after interim manager Jack Wilshere was ruled out of the running to become the next permanent boss.The ex-Arsenal and England midfielder stepped up from his role as first-team coach in April to take charge following the sacking of Johannes Hoff Thorup.Norwich finished a disappointing 13th in the Championship and their list of freed players includes three senior stars.That’s goalkeeper Angus Gunn, long-serving Cuban winger Oriel Hernandez and Danish midfielder Jacob Sorensen.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSNorwich-born Gunn, 29, played for England Under-21s but switched allegiance to Scotland and started all their three Euro 2024 games. A club statement read: “As previously announced, first-team players Angus Gunn, Jacob Sorensen and Oriel Hernandez will leave the club at the end of their contracts this summer.”Archie Mair and Jonathan Tomkinson will also depart the club upon expiry of their contracts, while Callum Doyle will return to parent club Manchester City following his season-long loan spell at Carrow Road.”Discussions remain ongoing with Aston Villa and Lewis Dobbin over a potential extension to his loan deal.Most read in FootballReleased keeper Angus Gunn has 15 Scotland capsCredit: RexJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”Discussions are also ongoing with Manchester City and Jacob Wright over triggering an option to make the midfielder’s move to Carrow Road permanent.”Caleb Ansen and Ken Aboh both return from their loan spells, while Brad Hills and Emmanuel Adegboyega remain at their loan clubs until the end of their respective campaigns.”The club have also triggered a one-year extension option in Adegboyega’s contract.”Jonathan Rowe’s loan to Marseille will become a permanent deal, following the obligation to buy in the agreement between the two clubs.”Academy players Lewis Shipley, Tom Finch, Adian Manning, Ellis Craven, Daniel Ogwuru, Alfie Doy, Alex Roberts, Kingston Simbai and Gabriel Keita will also be leaving the club.”Henry Bullen, Hugo Valencia Gomez and Lloyd Ofori-Manteaw will all sign professional deals with the club on July 1, whilst Harmony Okwumo will sign a contract extension.”The club would like to thank all departing players for their contribution and wish them well for the future.”Stand-in chief Wilshere oversaw a 0-0 against Middlesbrough and a win over Cardiff City on the final day of the season. But his brief stint in charge wasn’t enough to convince the club’s top brass to give him the job on a full-time basis.Canaries Sporting Director said of Wilshere’s departure in an interview with the BBC: “Jack is a fantastic person, he and I have a big history together.”He’s a great coach and will be a fantastic head coach, but that’s not going to be here at this particular moment in time. Read More on The Sun”Naturally, he’s disappointed. He’s super-ambitious, and he should be, but for where we are right now and the context, we’re focussing externally. “The emotional part, the romantic part of me would love to make that decision but my job is to not get wrapped up in emotion and to make cool, objective decisions.”Arsenal legend Wilshere oversaw a a draw and a win for NorwichCredit: Rex More

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      Sarina Wiegman hoping for ‘headaches and big decisions’ from return of England stars Hemp, Greenwood and Stanway

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      SARINA WIEGMAN hopes to have an England selection headache from Lauren Hemp, Georgia Stanway and Alex Greenwood returning to fitness.The Lioness boss, 55, reckons Hemp has built enough credit to be in contention despite the forward yet to play a full 90 minutes this year. Georgia Stanway has given England a huge fitness boost two months before the Euros with her recovery from a knee ligament issueCredit: AlamyLauren Hemp has been named in Sarina Wiegman England’s squad for the first time this year following her return to match action for Man City in AprilCredit: GettyHemp’s City team-mate and skipper Alex Greenwood is also back in the Lionesses’ squad ahead of their Nations League games against Spain and PortugalCredit: ReutersThe squad returns of Hemp, 24, Stanway, 26, and Greenwood, 31, comes at a pivotal time with the start of England’s Euros title defence less than two months away. Before then the team will take on Portugal in the Nations League at Wembley on May 30. And they also face a stern test against World Cup holders Spain in Barcelona on June 3. Wiegman’s fit again trio had contended with knee injuries with Hemp and defender Greenwood making their returns to match action for Manchester City earlier this month. Read More Football StoriesBayern Munich midfielder Stanway is the only member of the three yet to return to club duty since recovering from a lateral ligament tear sustained in January. Wiegman said: “Georgia is in training. She still needs to build. “What we know is she can come into camp and continue building with us.”Hopefully towards the Euros she can be healthy and can handle the training loads to recover. Most read in Football”She has to be healthy and recover from training sessions then we can see where she’s at. “She has to be performing at the highest level – at her highest level – to compete for the position just like everyone else.”Hemp’s squad return comes 16 days after her first game for Man City this year. The 61-capped Lioness played in a competitive game for the first time this year on April 27 with a cameo appearance in City’s 1-0 defeat of Leicester. While Hemp did not play a full match  for City in the second half of the season, she could potentially be in line for game time at the World Sevens tournament if selected to play. Man City are one of two WSL sides competing in the seven-a-side contest taking place in Estoril, Portugal from May 21-23. On whether it is a concerned that Hemp has so far not played a 90-minute this year, Wiegman added: “Of course it is.”But we still have two months – almost. We have to keep building on that and manage it well to keep them fit. “We want to keep building and see what she is able to do. “She has to perform at her highest level too, but she has shown so many things before her injury that she has built some credit.”When everyone is fit we have big decisions to make because we have many options up front and within the team in other lines we have options too. “I hope everyone does really well and it’s really nice to have this opportunity to train before the Nations League. “I hope I’ll get a lot of headaches because that means everyone is performing at the highest level and we’ll have decisions to make.”Wiegman, 55, is waiting to see how far Lauren James, 23, can go in her fitness race, before the Euros with the forward battling to recover from injury. I know Lauren is absolutely working really hard to get there. Let’s see how far she gets.Sarina Wiegman on Lauren JamesIn their upcoming clashes with Portugal and Spain the team will be without the services of James who was among England’s standout performers at the 2023 World Cup. The Chelsea star came off during England’s 5-0 Nations League trouncing of Belgium due to a hamstring concern. Wiegman said: “She’s a special player who has moments in the game where she can be decisive. “Let’s see how far she gets and what she can bring us. I know she’s absolutely working really hard to get there.”Wiegman’s latest squad selection has included Arsenal’s Michelle Agyemang, 19, keeping her place and a first senior call-up for Tottenham defender Ella Morris.Agyemang’s return follows her netting a stunning goal on her senior international debut volleying home during the Lionesses’ 3-2 away loss to BelgiumWhile the England boss hopes the striker can become a little bit calmer in duels, she believes Agyemang has much potential. Wiegman said: “Michelle is a very high-potential talent. “She is very powerful and as we have seen, she can score goals. Michelle Agyemang has retained her England spot after impressing on her senior international debut and on loan at Brighton from Arsenal this seasonCredit: Reuters”In duels she needs to calm down a little and we’ve spoken about that already. Read More on The Sun”Hopefully she can manage a bit when we play in the duels. “You don’t want to almost destroy your opponent.”England Women’s Squad GoalkeepersMary Earps (Paris St-Germain), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride)DefendersMillie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Ella Morris (Tottenham), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)MidfieldersGrace Clinton (Manchester United), Missy Bo Kearns (Aston Villa), Fran Kirby (Brighton), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea)Forwards Michelle Agyemang (Brighton, on loan from Arsenal), Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal, on loan from Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Brighton), Alessia Russo (Arsenal) More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, 14, given dad’s number and strikes iconic pose as he makes Portugal debut with grandma watching

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO JR made his international debut for Portugal’s Under-15s on Tuesday – and wore his dad’s iconic number.The 14-year-old was named on the bench ahead of Portugal’s match against Japan at a youth tournament in Croatia.Cristiano Ronaldo Jr made his Portugal U15s debut on TuesdayCredit: SplashThe teenager wore his dad’s iconic No7Credit: SplashHis grandmother, Maria Dolores, watched on from the sidelinesCredit: SplashAnd he was introduced in the 54th minute with his team leading 3-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Braga forward Rafael Cabral.Ronaldo Jr was given the No7 shirt for the occasion – the number his dad has worn throughout his incredible career.And he was even pictured striking a pose very similar to his dad’s signature free kick stance during the warm-up.Maria Dolores, the teenager’s grandmother and Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother, was there to watch from the sidelines.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLShe was seen wearing her son’s iconic 2010 World Cup shirt before the match.Ronaldo Jr is also set to face Greece and England in the Vlatko Markovic tournament.The young Al-Nassr academy star earned his first call-up to Portugal’s U15s last week.His dad posted confirmation of the news on social media with a touching message that read: “Proud of you, son.”Most read in FootballRonaldo Jr currently plays in Al-Nassr’s youth ranks having followed his dad to Saudi Arabia over two years ago.The youngster has also represented youth teams at Juventus and Manchester United. Cristiano Ronaldo appears to argue with himself as he fights back tears after Al-Nassr cup KOThree years ago, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo revealed that his son was determined to play alongside him one day.He said: “My son tells me: dad, hold on a few more years, I want to play with you!”Ronaldo Jr was pictured in a similar stance to his dad’s iconic free kick poseCredit: SplashRonaldo Jr is following in the footsteps of his dadCredit: Getty More

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      How Europa League winners have fared in Champions League in last decade as Man Utd and Spurs battle for ultimate prize

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Tottenham will face off in the Europa League final next week in a battle for a place amongst Europe’s elite.The winner will earn a spot in next season’s Champions League, a reward that is potentially worth in excess of £100MILLION. Manchester United are preparing to take on Tottenham in the Europa League finalCredit: Shutterstock EditorialSpurs are hoping to end a 17-year wait for a trophyCredit: GettyMuch has been made about whether that prize is suitable or not, given that United and Spurs currently occupy 16th and 17th spot in the Premier League – but Uefa aren’t changing their rules for the two underachievers.Qualification would mean a huge amount to both clubs, with the lure of the Champions League meaning more top talent could be enticed to join in the summer – not to mention a huge boost to their transfer kitty.For Spurs, the money would be the cherry on top of the giant cake that is ending their 17-year wait for a trophy.While United almost NEED to win the competition given their current financial situation, with a defeat meaning a huge loss in potential revenue amid a slew of cost-cutting measure by Sir Jim Racliffe and his Ineos team.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOnce getting to the Champions League, advancing to the very end could earn up to a potential £95m extra for the eventual winner – but United and Spurs will be aware that their chances of going all the way are slim.In fact, of the eight different teams that have gained qualification into the Champions League by winning the Europa League over the last 10 years, just ONE has made it to the semi-finals.That was Villarreal, who were knocked out of the tournament by eventual winners Liverpool.Man Utd entered the competition thanks to their 2017 Europa League success under Jose Mourinho, only to lose to Sevilla in the Round of 16.Most read in FootballMan Utd won the Europa League in 2017Credit: Getty Images – GettyChelsea earned a Champions League spot with their 2019 Europa League successCredit: ReutersCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhile Chelsea did the same in 2019 and were kicked out by Bayern Munich in the last 16 too.United and Chelsea are two of six teams that reached the last 16 after qualifying through the Europa League.’I’d dive head first through a brick wall for him’ – Ange Postecoglou’s rallying speech reduces Tottenham fans to tearsWhile Sevilla have twice failed to advance through the group stages and Atalanta were knocked out of this year’s competition in the qualifying knockout round.Although it makes for bleak reading for Man Utd and Spurs fans, it’s worth noting that the lure – and cash injection – of playing in the Champions League has helped teams who qualified through the Europa League attract big players.It was United’s entry to the 2017/18 competition that helped them sign Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof in the following summer.Chelsea were unable to purchase players following their success as they were hit with a transfer ban following academy player rule breaches.Either way, the prize waiting for the winner of next week’s ‘Hell Clasico’ is something which cannot be underestimated and could have a huge impact on either club for years to come. More

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      Dan Ashworth lands new high-profile job seven months after disastrous Man Utd spell

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      DAN ASHWORTH has landed a big new job after a disaster spell at Manchester United. Ashworth, 54, arrived at Old Trafford to great fanfare in the summer of 2024 to work alongside Erik ten Hag. Dan Ashworth had a torrid tenure at Old TraffordCredit: PAAshworth played a key role in United’s summer recruitment along with former manager Erik ten HagUnited had put in plenty of work to get him out of his role at Newcastle United, in the hope that the Englishman could revolutionise their recruitment strategy. However, things did not work out for United or Ashworth, with the Red Devils languishing in 16th in the Premier League table, and Ashworth leaving the club in December. The Englishman had been in his role for just five months. However, it seems as though he is set for a return to familiar surroundings. Read more FootballHe is lined up for a new role at the Football Association, leading the football side of the operation, according to reports. It means a return to the governing body for Ashworth, who was there from 2012 to 2018 as the director of elite development. He then moved to Brighton and Hove Albion as technical director, before Newcastle snapped him up as director of football in 2022. He was appointed at United in July last year, but had his contract terminated in December, reportedly costing the club £4.1 million, according to their quarterly accounts. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKIt was reported that the reasoning behind Ashworth’s premature departure from United came as a result of disagreements with fellow board members. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the United co-owner, was apparently crucial in the decision to relieve Ashworth of his duties, along with CEO Omar Berrada, who Ashworth reported to. Casemiro STAYING at Man Utd? Amorim’s Shock U-Turn Explained!In his tenure at United, Ashworth oversaw another mass incoming of players to Old Trafford. He brought in players familiar to Ten Hag, the manager at the time, bringing in Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, who had played under ten Hag at Ajax.The Red Devils also signed Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, and Leny Yoro in a summer spending spree that eclipsed £200 million. More

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      Tottenham set to take part in touching 98-year-old tradition at Europa League final – but Man Utd won’t

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      TOTTENHAM are set to take part in a tradition ahead of the Europa League final – but Manchester United will not.The two English sides meet on May 21 at the San Mames Stadium, which is the home of Spanish side Athletic Bilbao.Spurs and Man Utd meet in the Europa League finalCredit: AlamyTottenham are set to take part in a 98-year-old traditionCredit: GettyTheir stadium opened in 2013 after the old ground on an adjacent plot was demolished.But a tradition has remained for 98 years to honour club icon Rafael Moreno Aranzadi, better known as Pichichi.The legendary striker, who played for them in the early 1900s, suddenly passed away aged 29 from typhus.To pay respect to Pichichi, every team who plays at the San Mames for the first time leaves a bunch of flowers in homage ahead of kick-off.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHungarian side MTK Budapest were the first to make the gesture in 1927.Spurs have never played Athletic Bilbao at their home, only facing them twice in friendlies at different locations.Therefore, Tottenham are set to lay flowers by a bust in a special area by the players’ tunnel to commemorate Pichichi.Before the stadium was modernised, clubs would put their flowers by the statue of the legend outside the ground. Most read in Europa LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMan Utd will not have to visit the florist ahead of the Europa League final as they have been to the San Mames before.The Red Devils played at the old stadium in 1957 and 2012.Casemiro STAYING at Man Utd? Amorim’s Shock U-Turn Explained!And they were at the new ground earlier this month as they knocked out Athletic Bilbao in this year’s semi-final.Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordCaptains of clubs leave flowers at the side of the pitch before playing at the San Mames for the first timeCredit: Getty More

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      Incredible XI of Man Utd misfits and deadwood that would still beat Ruben Amorim’s flops on current form

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are enduring their worst domestic campaign in the modern history of the club.But while their squad of strugglers are languishing in 16th in the Premier League, there’s a squad’s worth of stars shining elsewhere.Manchester United are enduring their worst domestic campaign of modern timesCredit: EPAIn recent seasons it’s felt like the key to success for Man Utd players has been leaving Man Utd, with so many stars who have exited Old Trafford going on to impress elsewhere.Aaron Wan-Bissaka showed what a United farewell can do for you on Sunday when he played a huge role in both goals against his former club as West Ham leapfrogged the Red Devils with a 2-0 victory.And he’s not the only one who has been excelling elsewhere.In fact, you could make an entire starting XI of players who have swapped Man Utd for greener pastures.READ MORE ON MAN UTDCrystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson left Man Utd in search of first team minutes in 2023, now he’s the Eagle’s first choice goalkeeper and about to play in an FA Cup final.Meanwhile United have been riddled with issues in between the sticks as Andre Onana continues to struggle since his £47m arrival from Inter Milan.At full-back, the misfit XI could boast West Ham’s Player of the Season Wan Bissaka and January exit Tyrell Malacia.Malacia joined PSV on loan in the winter window and has jumped from a 16th place United team to a side in a title race, with Eindhoven just one point behind league leaders Ajax in the Eredivisie. Most read in FootballAaron Wan-Bissaka has impressed with West Ham since leaving Man UtdCredit: AFPAmorim and Ratcliffe’s reputations have been minced by a rotten, stinking Man UtdSunSport’s Dave Kidd has his say on the dire situation at Manchester United…THEY brought in the second-richest man in Great Britain and the hottest young coach in Europe.And yet, as the fans mourned the 20th anniversary of the Glazer family’s takeover yesterday, Manchester United are worse than ever.This ruthlessly brilliant businessman, this local-boy-made-good, was going to lead the Red Devils back to the place he once held in the Forbes Rich List.Now Ratcliffe’s ruthlessness is regarded as hateful penny-pinching, that business acumen has not translated into football — and United are two places above the relegation zone.This rotten, stinking football club minces the reputations of the best of men.As Amorim seems to have realised, according to his extraordinary round of media interviews in the wake of Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat by West Ham…Read the article in full HEREJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordVillarreal centre-back duo Eric Bailly and Willy Kambwala would make up the rest of the back line, with the pair on the brink of earning Champions League football with the La Liga club this season.The heart of the midfield would be occupied by the un-affectionately nicknamed ‘McFred’ – a pair who were mocked during their time at Old Trafford.Harry Maguire gets over Man Utd woes with trip to watch former club in Championship play-off clashNow Brazilian Fred is flying high in the Turkish league at Fenerbahce under the management of Jose Mourinho, where with five league goals this season, he has scored more than United front man Rasmus Hojlund.As for McTominay – he has been a revelation at Napoli under Antonio Conte.Napoli are leading Serie A with two games remaining and McTominay has racked up 11 league goals and four assists at the heart of their midfield.Wingers Antony and Anthony Elanga would offer width in the makeshift XI given their success away from the Theatre of Dreams this season.Elanga has been one of Nottingham Forest’s most important players as they’ve made a push for Champions League football – and he even netted against Man Utd last month.While £82m ‘flop’ Antony is looking a lot closer to matching his price tag with Real Betis in Spain.Since being loaned out in January, a move that many Betis fans are hoping is made permanent, Antony had weighed in with crucial goals as Manuel Pellegrini’s side battle for a place in the Champions League places.Fans even took to the streets begging that the move was made permanent after he helped them reach the Conference Legue final last week.Scott McTominay has been a revelation for NapoliCredit: GettyAntony has excelled at Real BetisCredit: GettyA front two could be made up of two of United’s very own academy products.Marcus Rashford has been a man transformed at Aston Villa – before his hamstring injury – and has made the decision to loan him out look baffling.Rashford has racked up ten goal contributions in 17 appearances for the Villans, doing so in a Champions League quarter-final and huge clashes with Manchester City and Chelsea.Partnering Rashford would be Mason Greenwood, who has reignited his career in France with Marseille.Only Ousmane Dembele has scored more goals than Greenwood in Ligue 1 this season, with the one-time England international finding the back of the net 19 times.While his goals haven’t been in vain either, helping Marseille secure a return to the Champions League next season.Mason Greenwood is Ligue 1’s second top scorer this seasonCredit: AFPMarcus Rashford looked more like his usual self at Aston VillaCredit: RexIt appears that Manchester United have become a vast footballer recycling centre which buys good players and makes them bad, before selling bad players who become good again.Even Ruben Amorim seems to be confused as to why things aren’t clicking for his side, claiming that it’s not the players’ fault.Seemingly threatening to quit if he can’t turn it around, Amorim said: “I don’t want to talk about the players. I’m talking about myself and the culture in the club and the culture in the team. I have that feeling.“We need to change that and we need to be really strong in the summer and to be brave.Read More on The Sun”Because we cannot have a season like this next year. If the feeling is still here, we should give the space to different persons.”So it’s a big problem that we have here at the club. It’s a decisive moment in the history of the club. We need to address that.”Ruben Amorim has threatened to quit if things don’t improveCredit: Getty More

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      Crystal Palace announce they are releasing Premier League record holder after 13 years in emotional statement

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      CRYSTAL PALACE’s Joel Ward is leaving the club after 13 years.The 35-year-old defender has played over 360 times for the Eagles since joining from Portsmouth in 2012. Joel Ward is leaving Crystal Palace after more than a decade with the clubCredit: AlamyThe defender has racked up over 350 appearances since 2012Credit: GettyWard helped Palace gain promotion in his first season at Selhurst Park.The versatile defender has been a member of the squad in the Premier League ever since.Ward was named club captain in 2023/24 and has racked up a record number of Prem appearances for the club. He has repaid the club with 13 seasons of service after signing for just £400,000. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLPalace chairman Steve Parish said: “From the very day he joined Crystal Palace, Joel has been an incredible ambassador for this Football Club.”[He is] open, friendly and professional, but also competitive, driven and uncompromising in the standards he sets.”Simply put, over the course of 13 years’ service, Joel has been an example for all Palace players who have gone before him – in his values, in his presence, and in his dedication to representing this club with pride.“This is a great time to celebrate Joel’s achievements and reflect on many great memories here with a truly treasured player and friend.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”Good luck, Joel, with your next adventure – and thank you.”Ward penned a one-year extension with Palace last year.Diehard Crystal Palace fan with arm in sling goes viral after using his HEAD to clap FA Cup heroes at WembleyBut he’s struggled with a calf injury for much of the campaign and is yet to confirm if he will continue playing. Ward told the club’s website: “For me, it’s been a huge privilege to wear this shirt, to represent this club.”It’s been an incredible journey with so many fond memories, so many incredible moments – moments that will live on in my mind for the rest of my life.”Obviously, I came from somewhere else. But I’ve been a part of this club and a part of the furniture for so long that I’d like to think I’m part of the family.”This isn’t ‘goodbye’ – it’s merely see you later.” More