The Portuguese central defender was finally able to complete a move to Selhurst Park in late July of 2007, when international clearance was received for him to join Palace on a 12-month loan from Benfica.

There is an option, depending on his impact, for Fonte to make that into a permanent switch at the end of the 2007/08 season, and he has been making the most of his opportunity, coming into the side soon after Neil Warnock's arrival.

A tall and dominating player, Fonte is no stranger to long term loans and he spent the entire 2006/07 season with Estrela Amadora in the Portuguese top flight after finding first team opportunities with Lisbon giants Benfica hard to come by.

He joined Benfica as a young player after breaking through the ranks at Vitoria Setubal. His potential was picked up on by Benfica and he made the switch there in January 2006 before immediately being sent out on loan to Pacos de Ferreira until the end of the 2005/06 campaign.

A number of teams were keen to sign Fonte, including outfits from Spain and a team from Romania who would be playing in the Champions League but the player was determined to make a name for himself in England and Palace was his destination of choice.