Kwesi Appiah (right) has been in fantastic form this season

Prolific Margate striker Kwesi Appiah has made his long-awaited return to the Football League after signing for Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day.

The 21-year-old signed a two-and-a-half year deal at Selhurst Park on an undisclosed fee, with the deal believed to include clauses which could see Margate receive further remuneration.

Appiah had attracted interest from several Premier League and Championships clubs after hitting 35 goals in all competitions for the Blues this season.

Earlier this month the club accepted an offer from Blackpool, but the former Ebbsfleet United and Peterborough United turned the move down.

Steve Wells, Margate’s press officer, said: “Everyone at the club wishes Kwesi well. We’ve said right from the start we would never stand in the way of a deal for a player to go to a higher level. Given he was under contract it had to be a sensible deal for the club as well.

“We are comfortable with the deal we’ve struck with Crystal Palace. We move on and hopefully look forward to signing a replacement in the near future.”

Photo by DAVE STEWART