New Crystal Palace striker Emmanuel Adebayor has admitted that he has a "bad reputation" within football, but has insisted that he feels very welcome at Selhurst Park.

The Togolese forward joined the Eagles in January on a free transfer after terminating his contract at Tottenham Hotspur in September.

The 31-year-old, who has played for Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid during his career, has caused controversy in the past but intends to just "enjoy" his football at Palace under manager Alan Pardew.

"[Pardew] said I have to be a leader," ESPN quotes Adebayor as saying. "Which means I have to set an example. Which means I have to come training on time, do my job professionally and that is what I am doing.

"There is a bad reputation about me, but if you ask every single manager that I work under, maybe only one or two would say I am a bad apple in the dressing room. I am always smiling with everyone.

"The players have made it easy for me. The lads have made it easy for me. It is a good squad with good players and I can guarantee that the squad in the dressing room is one of the best. It makes life easier for me. I do not have anything to prove. I just want to enjoy my football. I have been there and done it."

Adebayor made his debut off the substitutes' bench in Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth.