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Wilfried Zaha joins MLS side Charlotte FC in bid to reignite his career and will link up with ex-Premier League manager
WILFRIED ZAHA has joined Major League Soccer side Charlotte in a bid to reignite his career. The Crystal Palace icon turned down a £200,000-a-week deal to pursue his Champions League dream with Galatasaray 18 months ago. GettyWilfried Zaha endured an underwhelming loan spell at Lyon[/caption] Zaha scored 10 goals in 42 appearances for the Turkish side last season before being sent on loan to Lyon – where he has made just six appearances this term. The Ivory Coast international has joined the MLS side, who are managed by ex-Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, as a designated player on loan for the 2025 season. Zaha’s deal includes the option to extend the loan for another year across the 2026 season. Charlotte’s General Manager Zoran Krneta said: “Wilfred is a world class talent who has proven himself at the highest level of the sport as an elite goal scorer and chance creator. “His performances in the Premier League and on the international level speak for themselves and we are confident that Wilfred can make an immediate impact in Major League Soccer.” “He provides valuable versatility in the attacking areas of the pitch and adds that little bit of magic to our front line that can help us win more games. “We are delighted to add a player of Wilfred’s pedigree and experience to our squad, and we’re excited to welcome him to Charlotte.” Zaha has already started training with his new teammates, who include former Burnley midfielder Ashley Westwood. SUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAY Charlotte begin their MLS campaign against Seattle Sounders on February 22. Zaha has not played at all since a one-minute substitute cameo against Angers on December 7. He started just one match for Lyon during his loan stint, a 2-1 win at Toulouse on September 29. Lyon boss Pierre Sage said of Zaha in October: “The idea isn’t to fine him for the sake of fining him. “The idea is simply for him to be aware of what we expect from him at our club and I said he needs to understand that we recruited Wilfried Zaha, so we would like to have Wilfried Zaha.” SNSZaha, 32, struggled for game time in France[/caption]
WILFRIED ZAHA has joined Major League Soccer side Charlotte in a bid to reignite his career.
The Crystal Palace icon turned down a £200,000-a-week deal to pursue his Champions League dream with Galatasaray 18 months ago.
Zaha scored 10 goals in 42 appearances for the Turkish side last season before being sent on loan to Lyon – where he has made just six appearances this term.
The Ivory Coast international has joined the MLS side, who are managed by ex-Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, as a designated player on loan for the 2025 season.
Zaha’s deal includes the option to extend the loan for another year across the 2026 season.
Charlotte’s General Manager Zoran Krneta said: “Wilfred is a world class talent who has proven himself at the highest level of the sport as an elite goal scorer and chance creator.
“His performances in the Premier League and on the international level speak for themselves and we are confident that Wilfred can make an immediate impact in Major League Soccer.”
“He provides valuable versatility in the attacking areas of the pitch and adds that little bit of magic to our front line that can help us win more games.
“We are delighted to add a player of Wilfred’s pedigree and experience to our squad, and we’re excited to welcome him to Charlotte.”
Zaha has already started training with his new teammates, who include former Burnley midfielder Ashley Westwood.
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Charlotte begin their MLS campaign against Seattle Sounders on February 22.
Zaha has not played at all since a one-minute substitute cameo against Angers on December 7.
He started just one match for Lyon during his loan stint, a 2-1 win at Toulouse on September 29.
Lyon boss Pierre Sage said of Zaha in October: “The idea isn’t to fine him for the sake of fining him.
“The idea is simply for him to be aware of what we expect from him at our club and I said he needs to understand that we recruited Wilfried Zaha, so we would like to have Wilfried Zaha.”
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