Major League Soccer (MLS) club Charlotte FC on Wednesday announced the signing of Ivorian forward Wilfried Zaha on a one-year loan deal, Afrosport reports.
Zaha moves to Charlotte in a deal until January 2026, with an option to extend until June 2026.
The 32-year-old forward will occupy a Designated Player spot and an international roster slot on the club’s 2025 roster.
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Zaha was previously on loan at French club Lyon, having joined from Turkish champions Galatasaray last summer. He, however, found playing time tough to come by with just six appearances for Lyon, five of them as a substitute.
Zoran Krneta, Charlotte General Manager said: “Wilfried 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 Wilfried 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 Wilfried’s pedigree and experience to our squad, and we’re excited to welcome him to Charlotte.”
Zaha spent most of his career playing in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, where he made 458 appearances for the Eagles, the third-most in the club’s history, and scored 90 goals.
He moved to Manchester United in 2013 but returned to Palace a year later, initially on loan before returning permanently to Palace.
Zaha joined Galatasaray on a three-year deal following the expiration of his contract at Selhurst Park in 2023. The Ivory Coast international scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 42 games in one season for the Turkish side as Galatasaray were crowned Super Lig champions.
Zaha, who represented England at youth level, chose to represent Ivory Coast at the senior level, and since switching his allegiance in 2017, he has since earned 33 caps, scoring four goals and providing six assists.
