FOR most of Crystal Palace's squad, playing alongside Edgar Davids is a rare opportunity to rub shoulders with one of world football's most decorated and most recognisable icons of recent years.

But for Eagles' new signing Anthony Gardner, sharing the same changing room as the bespectacled one is a bit old hat, really.

RELISHING THE CHALLENGE: Anthony Gardner has signed on loan for Crystal Palace from Hull until January Photo by Peter Harbour
RELISHING THE CHALLENGE: Anthony Gardner has signed on loan for Crystal Palace from Hull until January Photo by Peter Harbour
OLD FRIEND: Davids (inset) and Gardner were at Spurs Neil Everitt

The 29-year-old, who arrived at Selhurst Park on a four-month loan from Hull City this week, played with Davids during his time at Tottenham Hotspur.

He admits he is looking forward to being stablemates with the Dutch legend once again.

"I was with Edgar Davids for about a year at Spurs," Gardner told Advertiser Sport. "He is a nice man with a lot of charisma – it will be nice to see him again.

"I have not been in contact with him since he left Spurs so I'm looking forward to it."

Gardner, who made more than 140 appearances for Spurs, had to make a speedy decision on whether to move to Palace on transfer deadline day.

The defender's contract at Hull expires next summer, but it appears he has fallen out of favour at the KC Stadium, just two years after the Tigers splashed out £2.5 million to bring him to Humberside from White Hart Lane.

He was training with Hull on Tuesday morning but as soon as he learned of Palace's interest, his mind was made up.

"I hadn't heard anything and it wasn't until I finished training at Hull that my agent said there was some interest [from Crystal Palace] and would I want to go down there," he revealed.

"I said yes, of course. I had to make my mind up pretty quick but I know they play good football there, it's quite a young squad with a lot of hunger and that's what I want to be involved with.

"For me, I have been at Hull City for two years and sometimes you feel like a change. There were one or two other clubs who showed an interest but I liked the sound of Palace and once I had spoken to my agent, my family and the chief executive I made the decision."

Gardner, who earned his only England cap six years ago, has endured a succession of injury problems in his career but said he is fully fit now having played for Hull in pre-season and two npower Championship games this season.

The 6ft 5in centre-half declared himself "very pleased" with his move back to London and believes there is "a lot of potential" in the Eagles squad which he hopes to help bring to fruition.

"I hope I can offer something – I know from when I was a young player, playing with more experienced players helps you out," he said.

"There is a lot of talent [at Palace] though and they might not need that experience around. I'm sure when I speak to the manager in detail I'll find out what his plan is for me.

"I'm excited to be here and being back in London works for me as well. I am looking forward to being part of it and hopefully playing some football."