Wilfried Zaha, the former Crystal Palace forward, has joined Charlotte FC on a loan deal from Turkish club Galatasaray, according to the Daily Mail. The loan will last until Jan. 17 of next year, and Charlotte has the option to extend the loan through June 30, 2026.
Why it matters
Zaha’s move is significant for Charlotte FC, as the club strengthens its roster for future seasons. His arrival as a designated player means his salary and acquisition cost will exceed the MLS salary cap, demonstrating the club’s intent to improve their performance on the field.
Details
- Zaha’s loan is set to run until Jan. 17, with an option to extend through June 30, 2026.
- He will be a designated player for Charlotte FC, with his salary exceeding the $743,750 cap for a typical MLS player.
- The 32-year-old Zaha spent 10 seasons at Crystal Palace, scoring 81 league goals and 90 goals across all competitions.
- In the 2023-24 season, he moved to Galatasaray and spent the first half of the current season on loan at Lyon.
- He also briefly played for Manchester United and Cardiff during his career.
- Internationally, Zaha played twice for England before switching to represent the Ivory Coast, where he has netted five goals in 33 international appearances.
This move brings Zaha to MLS with hopes that his vast experience in the Premier League and international football will help Charlotte FC in their pursuit of MLS success.
His time in both the English Premier League and Ligue 1 could provide Charlotte with the experience needed to improve their competitive standing in the league.
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