Clint Hill's loan deal has been made permanent.

The left back, who has scored three goals since arriving from Stoke in November 2007, has joined on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

"I'm delighted to finally welcome Clint Hill on board permanently," said Palace boss Neil Warnock. "He may not be the type of player who catches the eye of many opposition teams but he is a manager's type of player.

"He is always one of the first on the team sheet and his overall contribution during his loan spell has been a big factor in our climb up the table."

The 29-year-old defender rose through the ranks at Tranmere where he appeared in the 2000 League Cup Final and made a total of 140 appearances in a 5-year spell.

In 2002 he moved to Oldham Athletic but the £250,000 switch was cut short after he broke his leg in a League Cup tie against Palace in December of that year.

The following summer the Liverpudlian signed for Stoke, where his no-nonsense style made him a firm crowd favourite and helped him clinch the Fans' Player of the Year award in 2004/05.

But that season was cut short by a torn cruciate knee ligament, and his first team chances at the Britannia Stadium were limited last term.

The move to Palace kickstarted Clint's career and, although he prefers to be deployed in central defence, he has been happy to show his worth at left back this season.

Despite only just touching the six-foot mark, Hill is disproportionately good in the air, and when he is not scoring with his head he is in the box causing havoc from set plays.