Jermain Defoe has revealed the reason why he snubbed a move to Crystal Palace in favour of Rangers.

Defoe was linked to The Eagles after Roy Hodgson missed out on his prime target Dominic Solanke, who’s move to Bournemouth all but forced Defoe in leaving the Cherries.

The former West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Sunderland star opted to go north of the border, joining Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox outift on an 18 month loan deal, despite strong interest from Palace.

“It is obviously a fantastic football club, with a top manager (Roy Hodgson),” said the 36-year-old striker.

“The Palace move was lingering for years - I know a lot of people down there, (coach) Mark Bright, a lot of the players.”

“There was interest, I had to weigh it all up, and I fancied something different to be honest, I fancied a different challenge. “

“But I spoke to Stevie (Gerrard) and decided to come here, because it is a great opportunity for me. When he got the job, it did make me think a little bit, and so far he is a natural.

“It is a massive football club and I am coming into an environment where everyone is confident.”

READ: Who's been linked with Palace?

Missing out on the seventh top Premier League forward will come as another blow to Palace who are desperately looking to bolster their toothless attack.

Allowing Alexander Sorloth to join Gent for the remainder of the season, and with Christian Benteke still recovering from injury, Hodgson has made no secret of his desire to land a forward.

Solanke was thought to be on his way in a loan deal before Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth stepped in to land the Liverpool star with a £19 million deal.

Other names rumoured to be linked at Selhurst Park are Fernando Llorente and Oumar Niasse.