‘It’s not always been easy’ – Jordan Ayew on signing new Crystal Palace deal

Jordan Ayew is happy to have extended his Crystal Palace contract.

The 31-year-old has put pen to paper on a new deal with the Eagles to extend his stay at Selhurst Park until the summer of 2024.

Ayew has made 166 appearances for Palace in all competitions, scoring 18 goals. He won the club’s Player of the Season award in the 2019-20 campaign.

“I’m happy,” Ayew told the South London Press after the Eagles’ 5-1 win at Leeds United on Sunday. “I have been here for nearly five years and it’s not always been easy. I just kept going and believing in myself and what I can do.

“Today (Sunday) is a good example. I hope I can continue like this and hope I can bring more success to the club and the team.”

Ayew scored a brace in the win against Leeds at Elland Road – the first time he has scored twice in a Premier League game.

“Sometimes you get rewarded, and other times you don’t,” said Ayew. “We got rewarded this time. I hope there is more to come.

“It wasn’t easy. We stuck to the game plan and trusted in ourselves. The second half was a different game.

“They pressed us in the first half – they were in our faces – but the second half was different. We started going in behind and made it more difficult for them. That’s how we managed to score the five goals.”

Michael Olise became the first player to assist three goals from open play in Premier League history on Sunday. Eberechi Eze got himself on the scoresheet for the first time since the 1-1 draw at Brentford on February 18.

“It’s good to encourage them to keep doing what they’re doing,” said Ayew of Eze and Olise.

“That’s what the manager [Roy Hodgson] has brought to the team – he’s given us the freedom to express ourselves up front. We’re doing it well.”

The Eagles head to bottom of the Premier League Southampton tomorrow, searching for their third Premier League win in a row.

Six of Palace’s remaining eight games are against sides who are in the battle to avoid Premier League relegation.

“We just need to keep going,” insisted Ayew.

“We’re happy today [after the win against Leeds], but there are still games to go – it’s not finished.

“We’re playing against teams who are around us and we need to get positive results.

“We need to get another positive result next time out.”