Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson pleased with Wilfried Zaha’s contract extension

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has expressed his excitement following Wilfried Zaha's contract extension.

On Wednesday, the winger agreed to a new improved deal that will keep him at the Selhurst Park until 2023 to ward off interest from a number of clubs.

Last season, the 25-year-old was outstanding helping Palace avoid relegation and finishing in the 11th spot.

Delighted with the commitment of the forward, the English tactician is confident that the decision will help Palace plan for the future.

“It’s very good that the player of his ability has committed his long-term future to the club,” Hodgson told club website.

“We think very highly of him both as a person and a player and he has even a talismanic quality when it comes to being from this part of the world starting his career at Crystal Palace, all of those things need to be factored in.

“We are obviously delighted that this is where he wants to be because when you sign a contract of that length and magnitude it means that where you intend to be for the coming years and it gives the chairman and Dougie Freedman a chance to do some very serious planning. Of course he is a player who we want to be doing our planning around.

“He is very good. All players have got qualities and there aren’t many who can do every single thing – but he scores top marks in so many aspects an when it comes to dribbling and manipulating the ball and going past opponents I’d put him up there with the very best.”

Zaha who was on the scoresheet in Crystal Palace’s opening league game against Fulham will be hoping to continue the form when they face Liverpool on Monday.