Charlton have sold central defender Patrick McCarthy to arch-rivals Crystal Palace in a £500,000 deal.

The 25-year-old crossed South London to Selhurst Park a mere three weeks after Palace central defender Mark Hudson moved in the opposite direction to The Valley at the end of his contract.

McCarthy, who cost the Addicks £650,000 when he joined from Leicester last summer, struggled to establish himself in the side in the first part of last season and went on to make 33 senior appearances.

But he rescued the side with important late goals, most notably the stoppage time overhead kick that earned Charlton a 1-1 draw at Leicester four days after Christmas.

McCarthy joins Chris Powell, Cory Gibbs and Osei Sankofa in leaving the club.

Charlton chief executive Steve Waggott said: “We would like to thank Paddy for all his efforts and wish him well for the future.”