Cardiff defender Dekel Keinan has joined Crystal Palace on loan until January, with an option to extend his stay at Selhurst Park until May.

Palace will be Keinan’s third British club after he moved from Maccabi Haifa to Blackpool in August last year.

The Israeli international made only a handful of appearances in a season where Blackpool were relegated from the Premier League before joining Cardiff.

He was an ever-present as the Bluebirds reached the Championship promotion play-offs in May. But since Dave Jones left in the summer Keinan has been out of favour with new boss Malky Mackay, making only three appearances this season.

Keinan said: "I can't wait for the first game with Palace. I've really missed playing regularly this season.

"Palace wanted me for the entire season but for the time being its only until January."

Keinan will be the third Israeli to play for Palace after Itzik Zohar and David Amsalem in the 1990s.

"At Cardiff I haven't been playing this season and now I'm going to be playing," Keinan added. "Even if the loan was for one week I would have taken it because I want to play. That's the reason I left Israel. But a situation arose where I was even outside the rotation system.

"I couldn't carry on that way because it was harming my career. I want to show what I can do and I arrive first and left last at every training session.

"I've been playing for the reserves and I feel I can get back into it very quickly. After everything was agreed the (Palace) coach got in touch and said that if everything goes according to plan I can carry on there until the end of the season.

"It's not easy blending into a new team but that's the dream and you don't give up quickly on your dreams."

Palace boss Dougie Freedman said: "Dekel is a proven Championship player and I'll be pleased to get him in as we are very short in that position.

"We needed some extra cover but I didn't want to just bring in a body, I needed someone who would be comfortable playing in the first team."

"We only have two centre-halves and Dekel is going to come in and be part of the squad and compete for places with all the games we have coming up.

"I am sure he will be important in those games."

Palace currently lie seventh in the Championship. Keinan looks set to make his debut in the derby against Millwall at Selhurst Park on Saturday.