Andre Moritz wasn’t a name many Crystal Palace fans would have heard of before his summer arrival at Selhurst Park.

But after his third goal in three games, and a man of the match performance against Derby County on Saturday, he is well on his way to becoming a cult hero.

The 25-year-old Brazilian scored Palace’s second in a comfortable win for the Eagles, who are now 14 games unbeaten and remain top of the Championship table for the third successive week.

After five years playing in the Turkish league, Moritz decided it was time for a change so he took a calculated risk and left Turkey with the dream of playing English football.

“Coming to England was a gamble,” he admitted. “I was earning lots of money in Turkey and I took an 85 per cent wage cut to come to England to play but I am really happy that I made that choice because I have got used to English football.

“I am really happy to be involved and this is the best moment of my career.

“I was in Turkey the last five years and I had great years over there but I think I made a really good move in coming to England.

“I was so happy when I came here to Crystal Palace because people who support Palace really love it.

“When you finish a game and you have won and then you see a 70-year-old man going home with a smile on his face it makes me happy.”

Moritz only signed a one-year deal upon his arrival at Palace has previously made it clear that his desire is to play in the Premier League.

But he insists he will be concentrating on nothing but Palace for the remainder of the season and would not rule out an extension to his stay in SE25.

Moritz explained: “I have a one season contract with Crystal Palace and I am only thinking about this right now. My head is here with Palace.

“If something else came up I would definitely talk with Palace first because they brought me here and gave me the opportunity and I will always respect Palace in front of any other club.”