Championship side Crystal Palace have signed midfielder Darren Ambrose on a two-year deal, following the end of his contract at relegated Charlton.
The ex-Ipswich and Newcastle man, 25, was not offered a new deal following the Addicks' fall to League One.
"I've been after him for years," boss Neil Warnock told Palace's website.
"I have always thought he was a quality player and we have missed a dead-ball specialist since Ben Watson went. His dead-ball quality is very good."
Warnock has revealed he tried to sign Ambrose when he was Sheffield United's manager, adding: "I was even prepared to offer up to £1m before he went up to Newcastle in 2003 when I was at Sheffield.
"He can play five out of six positions whether that is 4-4-2 or 4-3-3.
606: DEBATE" Can Ambrose live up to his potential of a few years ago? "
"So he is very flexible and all I am asking him to do is play with a smile on his face because I think he has been down in the doldrums the last couple of years."
Ambrose started his career at Ipswich in 2001 and played over 30 games before moving to Newcastle United in 2003 for around £1m.
He scored five goals in 37 games for the Magpies but the failure to hold down a regular starting place led to a move to Charlton where he scored three goals as the Addicks finished 13th in the Premier League in his first season.
A turbulent period followed Alan Curbishley's exit from the Valley which saw Ambrose play under three different managers in less than a year. It was a season that eventually ended with Charlton being relegated.
In between 2003 and 2005 Ambrose also made 10 appearances for the England Under-21s.
After Charlton failed to make the play-offs in their first season back in the second tier, Ambrose started the 2008/09 campaign on loan at his former club Ipswich. He made nine appearances before returning to The Valley in January.
Ambrose was then part of the Charlton squad that was relegated to League One after finishing bottom of the Championship at the end of last season.
He made 112 appearances during his four years at the club, scoring 13 goals.
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