Ward initially joined the club from Portsmouth at the beginning of the successful 2012\/13 season in the Championship, playing a significant role in the club\u2019s promotion to the Premier League \u2013 not least with his goal-saving intervention on the line against Watford in the play-off final at Wembley.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"For me, it\u2019s been a huge privilege to wear this shirt, to represent this club. It\u2019s been an incredible journey with so many fond memories, so many incredible moments \u2013 moments that will live on in my mind for the rest of my life.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cObviously, I came from somewhere else. But I\u2019ve been a part of this club and a part of the furniture for so long that I\u2019d like to think I\u2019m part of the family.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t \u2018goodbye\u2019 \u2013 it\u2019s merely a \u2018see you later,\" said Ward.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The following season, Ward \u2013 fulfilling a variety of roles in defence and even midfield \u2013 missed just two matches as the Eagles retained their place among the elite and won the Young Player of the Year award in 2013\/14. He played every minute of Palace\u2019s run in the 2015\/16 FA Cup, including 120 minutes against Manchester United in the final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A consistent, dependable performer in the side in the years that followed, Ward was named club captain in 2023\/24, when he was hailed as \u201cthe ultimate professional\u201d by then-manager Roy Hodgson. In April 2024, he became the first-ever Palace player to feature in 300 Premier League matches for the club.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ward has overall played 363 matches for the Eagles \u2013 a total which places him eighth in the list of all-time appearances \u2013 and racked up 305 Premier League games in red and blue \u2013 the highest-ever total by an individual player \u2013 scoring six times for the club. He duly earned the Chairman\u2019s Award for Outstanding Contribution last season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chairman Steve Parish said, \u201cFrom the very day he joined Crystal Palace, Joel has been an incredible ambassador for this Football Club: open, friendly and professional, but also competitive, driven and uncompromising in the standards he sets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSimply put, over the course of 13 years\u2019 service, Joel has been an example for all Palace players who have gone before him: in his values, in his presence, and in his dedication to representing this club with pride. This is a great time to celebrate Joel's achievements and reflect on many great memories here with a truly treasured player and friend.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chairman Steve Parish said, \u201cFrom the very day he joined Crystal Palace, Joel has been an incredible ambassador for this Football Club: open, friendly and professional, but also competitive, driven and uncompromising in the standards he sets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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