Former England U21 international and long time Palace left back Dean Gordon has joined Bryan Robson's Middlesbrough for £900,000.

A former youth team product, Deano, 25, made his debut in 1991 and barring injury has been a first team regular. His departure was expected following continued end-of-season speculation and last week's signing of Israeli international left back David Ansalem. The 27-year-old has signed for £800,000 subject to getting a work permit and joins former Tottenham star and Venables protg Dean Austin as Palace's first summer signings.

Meanwhile inspirational Palace skipper Marc Edworthy and striker Neil Shipperley have firmly pledged their futures to the Eagles .

The pair told fans this week they are fired up for the new season and both have described press speculation about the arrival at Selhurst Park of Diego Maradona as "pathetic."

As manager Terry Venables at last jetted in from the World Cup to take charge at Palace, a refreshed Edworthy told the Guardian he was relishing the start of the new season. "We all know what we've got to do this season," he said. "It hasn't exactly been ideal with Terry over in France. Most of the players have yet to meet him. But he's back now and the work starts here.

"The stories about Maradona being player-coach are farcical. It's simply the newspapers talking rubbish."

Shipperley, who has been suffering all summer with bad hay fever, added: "It's absolutely pathetic. God knows where these stories come from. As for me, I've got two years on my contract and I intend to see them through. No one's come in for me and I'm looking forward to the new season."

Hopes are high among Palace supporters that a string of new names will be attracted to the club, complete with its new manager and stunning new training facilities at Streete Court in Godstone.

Youngsters Tony Folan and Clinton Morrison, who both starred as substitutes in the last-day win over Sheffield Wednesday, said they hoped to get into the squad for the Intertoto Cup later this month.

Morrison, 19, said: "I think it's a great move for Palace. You get in some football before everyone else and have the chance to get into Europe too."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.