Background

Keith brings to Palace a wealth of experience at all levels of the English game.

Bristol-born Keith came up through the ranks at local side Rovers, scoring in his debut against Chester in 1981.

His two-year spell at the club ended in November 1983 when Torquay paid £50,000 for his services.

The centre back spent four months at United, scoring five goals in 19 starts, before attracting the attention of Bristol City, who he joined for £100,000.

Within months, Keith had helped Terry Cooper's men to promotion from the old Division Four and he made a total of 149 appearances for the Robins as they consolidated their position in the game's third tier.

A £150,000 move to Reading followed, and a year later in October 1988 FA Cup winners Wimbledon came along with a bid for half-a-million pounds that was accepted by the Royals.

Keith was integral towards the Dons' success of the period and under Ray Harford he helped them reach seventh place in the top flight in 1990/1991.

That summer he became Britain's most expensive defender when Manchester City signed him for £2.5 million. Keith was soon in the England 'B' team and in April 1992 made his debut for the national side as a substitute in the friendly at CIS.

He made two further international appearances, including in the starting eleven in the 0-0 draw against Denmark in the 1992 European Championships.

Keith's half-decade at Maine Road saw him become skipper and make 205 appearances, scoring 13 goals.

In August 1996 he made a £650,000 switch to Wolves. In Keith's first season he was part of the team that lost to Palace in the Division One play-off semi-finals.

His four-year stint at Molineux, which also included an FA Cup semi-final appearance, ended when Neil Warnock brought him to Sheffield United in July 2000.

Two years later, and after a two-month stay at Barnsley, Keith joined Mansfield as player-manager. He gained further managerial experience at Chester City in April 2005 and began brightly by challenging for promotion from League Two and eliminating Nottingham Forest from the FA Cup.

Keith's most recent assignment was at former club Torquay United, where he was head coach alongside Director of Football Colin Lee.

On the day of his unveiling at Palace, Neil Warnock appointed 43-year-old Keith onto his coaching staff.

Playing honours

Promotions

1983-84 Division 4. Fourth place (promotion to Division 3) - Bristol City.

League

1991-92 Division 1. Fifth place - Manchester City.

International appearances

England - 3 caps.

England B - 4 caps.