Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations star Kwesi Appiah has left Crystal Palace until the end of the season after securing a loan move to Reading.

The striker will join the Royals on loan for the rest of the campaign.

Appiah spent the first half of the season on loan at League Two side Cambridge United, but after starring for the Black Stars at the 2015 Afcon, he returned to find himself outside Palace’s Premier League squad.

Despite being called-up for a fixture by Eagles boss Alan Pardew, Appiah would not have been able to feature for the Londoners before the end of the campaign. The striker made little secret of his desire to secure a temporary move away from the club in order to secure first-team football.

He finally has his wish, as Reading confirmed on their official website that they had secured the forward on loan for the rest of the season.

Appiah featured for the likes of Ebbsfleet United, Peterborough United and Brackley Town before moving to Palace in 2012. He spent time at several lower league clubs on loan before returning to the club in January.

The 24-year-old is believed to be held in high regard at Palace, but will now have the chance to prove his worth in the Championship with Reading.

The Berkshire outfit currently sit 19th in the table, nine points clear of relegation with a game in hand, but a considerable 23 points off the play-off places. The club are, however, competing in an FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium having seen-off Bradford City in the quarter-final.

Appiah was a surprise inclusion in Avram Grant’s Afcon squad, but proved his worth with a string of fine performances.

He was influential in the quarter-final victory over Guinea, helping to set-up Christian Atsu’s goal and also finding the net himself.

The forward would start in all three of the Black Stars’ knockout matches, and was selected ahead of Jordan Ayew for the final. He was replaced during the match and was not on the field for the penalty shootout.

Appiah is currently with the Ghana squad ahead of the side’s friendly against Senegal on Sunday evening.