Joel Ward

Joel Edward Philip Ward (born 29 October 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Crystal Palace. His natural position is right-back but he can also play at left-back, centre-back, and in midfield.

Club Career

Portsmouth

Ward started his footballing career with local youth team East Lodge F.C. and signed a professional contract with Portsmouth in July 2008 after spending two years in the Academy and Reserves.

AFC Bournemouth (loan)

The following month, he signed a one-year loan deal with AFC Bournemouth to gain first team experience. Ward soon made his debut in a League Cup match against Cardiff City on 12 August, playing the full 90 minutes as Cardiff ran out 2–1 winners. His League Two debut came later that week on 16 August 2008 in an away draw with Aldershot Town. As the season progressed, Ward continued to appear in defence for the Cherries and he gained the first yellow and red cards of his career on 18 October in a 4–1 away defeat to Shrewsbury Town, eventually being sent off for two bookable offences. However, his form meant that he returned to the side soon afterwards, making his Football League Trophy and FA Cup debuts: a home defeat by Colchester United and a home win against Bristol Rovers on 4 and 8 November respectively. He scored his first and only Bournemouth goal in a 4–0 win over Morecambe on 2 May 2009.

Return to Portsmouth

On 26 August 2009, Ward made his Portsmouth debut as a centre-back against Hereford United in the League Cup, before making his Premier League debut on 14 April 2010 against Wigan Athletic, playing from start to finish at left-back as the game finished goalless. Ward played in most of Pompey's remaining league matches that season and remained at Fratton Park in the summer even after they were relegated to the Championship. He began the new season as first-choice right-back, but later lost his starting

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