The move to a "good, exciting" Palace team was a decision that the former Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers defender took due to a couple of former connections.
Firstly, the chance to work with Roy Hodgson and Ray Lewington again, a coaching setup that gave Cahill one of the game's highest honours: captaining your country:
"I worked with Roy and liked it very much, along with Ray as well; they’re fantastic football people and I enjoyed my time with them and that was another thing that factored into the decision [of joining the Eagles] and to work with those two guys again is exciting."
Furthermore, Cahill's former teammate Ruben Loftus-Cheek's growth as a player during his time on loan in SE25, and the England international's comments back at Stamford Bridge about the impact Palace had on him helped Cahill make his mind on signing for Palace:
"He loved it here and I thought he benefitted Ruben is a special player, he’s going to have a fantastic future and I thought he was great in the games he played for Palace. He spoke very highly of not only the team and the fans but the behind the scenes too."
Cahill arrives with a trophy cabinet many a player will be envious off with multiple Premier League titles, FA Cup and Champions League winners' medals. But Palace's newest addition doesn't see any change in his aims on the field:
"I’m hungry to keep playing - prolonging my career for as long as I can. I feel in great shape and when I play whoever that has been for – England, Chelsea, Bolton – whoever I play for I like to think I give 110% and leave it all out there. Hopefully that will be good enough for the manager, my team-mates and the fans."
Cahill had plenty more to say, so watch the full interview by pressing play on the video below.