Crystal Palace have appointed Dougie Freedman as the club’s sporting director.

Freedman, who has been out of work since leaving Nottingham Forest last year, has a long affiliation with the Eagles.

He made over 300 appearances for Palace as a player, before taking over as manager in 2011.

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Freedman has had disappointing spells bossing Bolton and Forest in recent years, but remains highly-respected at Selhurst Park.

Eagles manager Frank de Boer said: “I always worked with a sporting director during my time as manager at Ajax and I felt this was a position the club needed.

“I am looking forward to working with Dougie in this transfer window and beyond.”