Joe Ledley: Leaving Celtic was "difficult"

Former Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley has admitted that leaving the Scottish champions to join Crystal Palace was "difficult".

The 27-year-old Wales international spent three-and-a half years in the East end of Glasgow, winning the Scottish Premier League twice, as well as lifting the Scottish Cup in 2013.

He says that he ultimately made his deadline-day switch to Palace because he wanted to play in the "best league in the world".

"It was a very difficult choice for me," Ledley told reporters.

"I had a fantastic three and a half years at Celtic, it's a fantastic club, but I'm only getting older and I think the time was right for me to play in the Premier League.

"It's just a fantastic league, it's the best league in the world for me and I think it was my time to go show everyone what I can do."

Ledley made 106 league appearances for Celtic, scoring 20 goals.