By Billy McGee
Photo: Neil Hanna / Cal Sport Media / AP
Charlotte FC has reportedly signed Wilfried Zaha on loan from Galatasaray, per Fabrizio Romano. Zaha, a skillful winger that primarily plays on the left, will occupy a designated player roster spot for The Crown.
🚨🇺🇸 Understand Wilfred Zaha will join MLS side Charlotte FC, deal verbally agreed and here we go!
He’s expected to travel in the next 24/48h for medical tests and contract signing.
Loan from Galatasaray until June 2026. pic.twitter.com/HutBRpwksi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 16, 2025
The 32-year-old Ivorian international was previously on loan with Lyon in Ligue 1, where he struggled to break through for the squad with just four appearances. Zaha also appeared in 30 matches for Galatasaray in the 2023-24 season prior to his time with Lyon, winning the Turkish Super Cup.
Before playing in Turkey, he spent 14 seasons in England across the top two divisions, primarily for Crystal Palace. Zaha had multiple double-digit goal seasons in the English Premier League for Crystal Palace, scoring 10 goals in the 2018-19 season, 11 goals in the 2020-21 season, and 14 goals in the 2021-22 season.
Zaha will likely slot in as the club’s left winger, but is capable of playing on the right or as a striker, giving Charlotte lineup flexibility and more depth at those positions. He certainly fits the mold of what head coach Dean Smith is looking for in a designated player. Zaha’s ability to score goals, which he previously showcased in one of the best leagues in the world, is something that is much needed for The Crown if they are to build on their first playoff appearance last season.
With the deal for Zaha progressing, Charlotte has also given Atlanta United permission to negotiate with Miguel Almirón, who Charlotte was previously linked to and holds the discovery rights for, per Tom Bogert.
To be clear: Potentially adding Miguel Almiron is IN ADDITION TO a center forward.
Atlanta working and getting closer on Emmanuel Latte Lath too.
New look Atlanta attack in 2025 could add both players. Still work to be done on both, but Atlanta trying. Very ambitious. https://t.co/CCNmKplYaC
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 15, 2025
Charlotte is likely not done in the transfer market, with rumored interest in Newcastle United defender Matt Targett, who used to play for Dean Smith at Aston Villa. There’s also still uncertainty with Karol Świderski’s future with the club — a return to Europe is still a possibility. If he were to leave, they could look to sign a replacement for him at center forward or sign another attacker and have Patrick Agyemang as the first-choice striker.
Check out the full 2025 Charlotte FC schedule.
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