Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola is keen for the teenage striker to gain greater first-team experience next season and a host of Championship clubs had shown an interest.

Sheffield Wednesday and Peterborough United were among the teams to have made an approach for the 19-year-old.

However, Palace have now confirmed that Sears, who failed to score in 22 appearances last term, will spend the campaign on loan at Selhurst Park.

Sears joined West Ham as a schoolboy at the age of 11. In March 2008, after a prolific run in the Under-18 and reserve teams, he made his Premier League debut against Blackburn Rovers, coming off the bench to score a late headed winner.