Andros Townsend joins Crystal Palace: Eagles win race to sign £13m midfielder as Dwight Gayle joins Newcastle

Townsend arrives after just five months with Newcastle, who have signed striker Gayle as part of the deal

Andros Townsend is unveiled as a Crystal Palace player after sealing a £13m move from Newcastle (Twitter/@CPFC)

Crystal Palace have completed the £13m signing of England international Andros Townsend from relegated Newcastle, just five months after he joined the Magpies.

Townsend makes an immediate return to the Premier League after Newcastle allowed him to leave, having made a small profit on the 24-year-old after signing him from Tottenham in a £12m transfer last January.

As part of the deal, Newcastle have signed Palace striker Dwight Gayle for £10m on a five-year deal.

"I'm extremely delighted,” Townsend said after completing the move back to London. “I had chats with the manager and chairman before I signed and I'm pleased to a part of Crystal Palace's future. By the sounds of things it's going to be a bright one and I can't wait to get started.”

Palace chairman Steve Parish claimed that the club’s rise in stature since it’s promotion from the Championship in 2013 has helped secure a player of Townsend’s reputation, and added that he is excited to see what the winger will bring to the side.

"It’s fantastic that we’ve managed to get a player of Andros’ quality into the club,” said Parish. “He has played in the Premier League for a number of years and represented England on many occasions and yet he's still only 24-years-old.

“Andros is another exciting attacking talent that we have added to our ranks and I can’t wait to see him in a red and blue shirt in the very near future.”

Gayle meanwhile departs Selhurst Park after three years with the Eagles, having joined the club from Peterborough for £6m in 2013.

"It's a dream come true to be at a big club like this. Newcastle has a massive fan base and a great history so it is amazing to be here," Gayle said.

"I can't wait to get started, prove myself and score the goals that take us back up to the Premier League."

Dwight Gayle has completed a £10m move to Newcastle (Getty)

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez, who is also close to singing Bournemouth midfielder Matt Ritchie in a £12m deal, labelled Gayle’s arrival as “fantastic” and believes he can provide the goals that the club lacked during last season’s doomed campaign.

"Dwight is a great player, a proven goalscorer, and it is fantastic news that he has joined us," said Benitez.

"He has a big personality, a lot of energy and pace. He is a good finisher also, so he will add goals to our squad, for sure."