Palace sign Jamaica defender Swaby from AC Milan

Crystal Palace have signed Jamaica defender Allyson Swaby from Italian side AC Milan for an undisclosed fee.

Swaby, 28, has played top-flight football in the United States and Italy and has committed to a two-and-a-half-year deal with Palace.

She is the third permanent signing of the January window for Palace, following the arrivals of Canada forward Clarissa Larisey and Finland midfielder Ria Oling.

Swaby’s sister, Chantelle, plays as a midfielder for fellow Women’s Super League side Leicester City.

Laura Kaminski, the Palace manager, described the new recruit as an “excellent” signing who would provide “experience, leadership and real defensive quality”.

The Eagles, who were promoted as winners of the Championship last season, are bottom of the WSL and four points adrift of safety.

Kaminski added of Swaby, who has featured for her country at two World Cups: “She’s played at the highest level in both club and international football, and we’re excited to see the impact she’ll have here at Palace.”