By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Former United defender Peter Ramage has joined Crystal Palace on a one-year deal.

The 28-year-old, who can play at either right-back or centre-half, arrives at Selhurst Park as a free agent, having been released by Queens Park Rangers at the end of the 2011/12 campaign.

Born in Whitley Bay, Ramage joined Newcastle's Academy from Cramlington Juniors and rose through the ranks at the Club, captaining the Reserves before his breakthrough into the first team squad.

His senior debut arrived in March 2005 as a substitute against Olympiacos in the UEFA Cup, while a first league start followed just a month later against Manchester United.

Over the next three years, Ramage made 69 appearances for the Magpies in all competitions, but was released in May 2008 and promptly snapped up by QPR.

Having helped Rangers win promotion to the Premier League, Ramage spent loan spells at Palace and Birmingham last season, before being released by the West London-based outift.

And he had no hesitation in signing permanently for Palace, where he made 23 appearances last term.