Joel Ward will leave Crystal Palace this summer after 13 years at the club upon the expiration of his current contract. Ward joined the club from Portsmouth at the beginning of the successful 2012/13 Championship season. His departure marks the end of a significant era at Crystal Palace, where he played a key role in the club's promotion to the Premier League and was named captain in the 2023/24 season. Ward expressed his gratitude for his time at the club, stating it was an incredible journey with beautiful memories and that this is not a 'goodbye' but a 'see you later'.

Joel Ward, a 35-year-old player, has been used sparingly by Oliver Glasner this season. He has made just one appearance in the EFL Cup and has been on the bench for Premier League games without playing. It's expected that he will leave when his contract runs out.