As soon as Kagisho Dikgacoi was told by Fulham boss Martin Jol he couldn't guarantee him first-team football, he had just one thing on his mind - rejoining Crystal Palace.

The 26-year-old completed his switch across London last week for an undisclosed fee in the region of £300,000, signing a three-year-deal.

The South African international ended last season at Selhurst Park with Palace, having failed to break into the Cottagers team under former manager Mark Hughes. And when he was told by Hughes' successor Jol that he couldn't be certain he would play him this season, Dikgacoi's thoughts immediately turned back to Palace.

"I had a chat with Dougie Freedman before the end of the season and he said he wanted to bring me back so that was one of my options if I couldn't stay at Fulham," he explained.

"I met with Martin and wanted a guarantee of playing but he had only just come in and wasn't sure who to play yet.

"I didn't want to take the risk and stay at Fulham so I wanted to come back to Palace.

"I enjoyed myself here, I was playing week in week out, the lads are great and I got an amazing reception from fans."

Dikgacoi has been joined in the Eagles squad by Australian international midfielder Mile Jedinak, who signed on a free transfer, subject to a work permit, from Gençlerbirliği, on Monday.

He could also find himself playing in front of his Bafana Bafana team-mate and defender Morgan Gould, who is training with the Eagles at their pre-season camp in Exeter this week.

"Morgan can be a good player for Palace," said Dikgacoi.

"He is a good defender and experienced and I don't think Palace will regret signing him.

"I am looking forward to hopefully playing with him and it will be good to have another South African around."