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Former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini signs for Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have signed midfielder Mathieu Flamini on a contract until the end of the season, the Premier League club have announced.

Flamini, 32, was a free agent after his second spell at Arsenal ended in the summer.

He told the club's official website: "Crystal Palace is a very ambitious club with great players and I am looking forward to being part of that squad. It is a very interesting challenge for me and I am very excited to be here. I have had chance to discuss the move here with [manager] Alan Pardew and he really helped me make my decision."

Pardew, who missed out to Bournemouth on a loan move for Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere last month, said earlier in the week that he had left space in his squad for a free agent to arrive once the transfer deadline had passed on Aug. 31.

He added: "I thought it was important to get another midfield player. His playing ability will help us but also his leadership qualities and his ability of how to win games in a passing style. I am delighted that we have secured a player of his stature."

Flamini made 246 appearances over two spells at Arsenal, winning the FA Cup three times as well as playing in the 2006 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in Paris.

Having started his career at hometown club Marseille, he also had a spell in Italy with AC Milan, where he was part of the team which won the Serie A title in the 2010-11 season.

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.