Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has been announced as Crystal Palace new manager on Sunday after the departure of former England boss Roy Hodgson.
Vieira, who was the captain of Arsenal invincible team, had won three premier league titles with the Gunners and had also held managerial positions at New York City FC in the MLS and Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice.
The Frenchman, who has also won the World Cup and the European Championship with the French national team in 1998 and 2000 respectively, is well-known in England for his stellar playing career at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger.
"Crystal Palace Football Club is happy to confirm Patrick Vieira's appointment as its new manager for the next three seasons," the club said in a statement.
The Eagles have been looking for a new coach since Hodgson announced in May that he will stand down when his contract expired at the end of last season.
Vieira has a busy few weeks ahead of him, with a host of Palace players out of contract and the Premier League season kicking off with a trip to European champions Chelsea in just six weeks.
"I am ecstatic to be returning to the Premier League and managing this fantastic football team as we embark on a new chapter together," Vieira stated.
"It's a project that appeals to me greatly, having discussed the chairman's and sporting director's ambitions and goals for the entire club, including the academy."
"After many years in the Premier League, the club has wonderful foundations in place, and I hope we can continue to improve and drive the club ahead."
Former England manager Hodgson kept Palace out of the relegation zone throughout his four seasons in charge.
"I'm happy and excited that Patrick has decided to join Crystal Palace as our manager after learning his craft at the City Group and enjoying successful management periods at New York City and then Nice, whom he led to the Europa League," Palace chairman Steve Parish said.
"We have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks to prepare, and I'm looking forward to working closely with Patrick and Dougie (Freedman, the athletic director) in bringing in some fresh faces to assist us all have a good season."
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