Crystal Palace captain Mile Jedinak agrees new three-and-a-half year contract to extend stay at Selhurst Park

The Australian admits he is 'ecstatic' to sign a new deal having joined the club in 2011

Crystal Palace captain Mile Jedinak has signed a new three-and-a-half year deal to extend his stay at Selhurst Park (GETTY IMAGES)

Crystal Palace captain and Australia international Mile Jedinak has agreed a new three-and-a-half year deal with the Eagles.

The 29-year-old joined the Selhurst Park outfit in July 2011 and he is rapidly closing in on making 100 appearances for the club, who currently sit bottom of the Premier League following the 1-0 defeat to Norwich on Saturday.

Having skippered the side during their promotional-winning Championship campaign last season, Jedinak said he was “ecstatic” to extend his stay and has now urged the team to press forward as they look to remain in the top flight.

Speaking to the club’s official website www.cpfc.co.uk, Jedinak said: “I'm ecstatic to put pen to paper on a new contract, I've been a part of this football club for two and a half years and I've enjoyed every moment of that. The first season was great and the second obviously ended in us getting promoted and now we're in the Premier League where we want to be, so I'm really happy here and pleased that I've done this.

“I've built some strong relationships with players here and I've tried to make myself available to every player that comes through the gates and make them feel welcome and part of what we do. Everyone knows what we're about here and I have no doubts that we'll continue to push forward.”

New manager Tony Pulis tasted defeat in his first match in charge after a Gary Hooper strike consigned the Eagles to defeat on the weekend, but the former Stoke manager has sent out a rallying call for fans to lift the team when they run out at their home ground on Tuesday evening when they take on West Ham.

The Hammers are only six points ahead of Palace, and only three from safety, meaning that a loss tomorrow evening could leave them in the relegation zone come Wednesday once the other 18 Premier League sides complete their midweek fixtures.