Wilfried Zaha, the former Crystal Palace star, has made a stunning switch to MLS, joining Charlotte FC on loan from Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray. The deal will keep Zaha at the American club until January 2026.
The 32-year-old winger had been on loan with Lyon this season but struggled to make an impact in France, featuring in just six matches—five of them as a substitute.
Zaha will occupy a Designated Player (DP) and international roster slot in Charlotte FC’s 2025 squad, a key MLS rule that allows clubs to sign up to three high-profile players whose salaries exceed the league’s normal cap. This mechanism has been pivotal in attracting global football talent to the league.
Charlotte FC’s General Manager, Zoran Krneta, expressed his excitement about the signing, stating:
“Wilfried is a world-class talent who has proven himself at the highest level of football as both an elite goal scorer and chance creator. His performances in the Premier League and on the international stage speak for themselves, and we are confident he will make an immediate impact in MLS.”
Krneta added:
“He brings versatility to our attack and that spark of magic needed to win games. We are thrilled to add a player of Wilfried’s caliber and experience to our squad and look forward to welcoming him to Charlotte.”
Zaha, who spent nine memorable years at Crystal Palace, first joined the club on loan from Manchester United in 2014 before making the move permanent in 2015. His career journey now takes him to the United States, where Charlotte FC fans eagerly anticipate seeing his flair and experience transform their attack.