KWESI APPIAH has the chance to follow in the footsteps of one of his boyhood heroes after landing a dream move from Margate to Crystal Palace.

Blues' 35-goal striker joined Championship club Palace for an undisclosed fee on transfer deadline day.

The 21-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Selhurst Park, ending weeks of speculation surrounding his future at Ryman Premier Gate.

Arsenal fan Appiah grew up watching Ian Wright, who was given his break in the pro game when Palace snapped him up from non-league football.

Appiah, who's left his job as a customer services officer with Transport for London, said: "This is a dream move for me.

"I met the gaffer (Dougie Freedman) on Tuesday and it didn't take much to sell the place to me. It felt like it was meant to be.

"Following in the footsteps of Ian Wright is all part of the dream.

"He was a hero of mine growing up.

"He started his career late and went on to become a legend at Crystal Palace and Arsenal.

"You could say we have similar attributes as players but that's for other people to decide."

Appiah turned down a move to Blackpool a fortnight ago.

The deal broke down over personal terms but there was no way the south London lad wanted to miss out on Palace and the chance to learn from former striker Freedman.

He's confident he'll bridge the five-division gap between the Championship and Ryman Premier.

He said: "The jump didn't come into my mind.

"At the end of the day it's football and if you have the ability you can shine at any level, as long as you work hard, stay focused and listen to advice.

"The manager was a striker, so I couldn't be in better hands.

"He'll help me and I can learn a lot from him."

Appiah, who has ambitions to play for Ghana, insists the move to Palace won't go to his head.

He added: "If I can shine on the stage I'm at now then hopefully I can take that step with Ghana but for now I want to concentrate on my club form and break into the Palace team.

"I hope the move will change me as a player but not as a person. Everybody who knows me will tell you the kind of guy I am.

"I'm not one to lose my head or get over-excited – I'm an honest, humble person.

"It's always been my dream to play at the highest level possible and now I'm one step from the Premiership.

"I'm going to maintain the focus I've had since day one and do my best to adjust to being a Championship player.

"It's not like I'm the first player to move up from non-league."

Appiah only joined Margate last summer but he'll miss the club, his old teammates and Chris Kinnear, the manager he calls 'Dad'.

He said: "Margate are a lovely club and I get on well with everybody there.

"I'd love them to get promoted this season – automatically or through the play-offs – and fingers crossed they can do it.

"The gaffer was a close friend as well as the manager and he was the one who took me to Margate.

"He believed in me and showed a lot of faith in me and Iwanted to repay him.

"We've known each other a long time and the 'Dad' joke came from there.

"I'll always call him to ask him what he thinks. He's a wise man."