It's official. Ivory Coast international Wilfried Zaha is preparing to pack his bags and leave Major League Soccer (MLS). This Sunday, May 24, 2026, the striker and his club, Charlotte FC, formally agreed to end his loan. Having arrived in the United States in 2025, the former Crystal Palace and Olympique Lyonnais player is now preparing to return to Turkey, joining Galatasaray.

An immediate and historic impact

The Ivorian winger's move across the Atlantic has been a resounding success. In just two full seasons, Zaha established himself as the leader of the North Carolina franchise's offense.

Charlotte FC's general manager, Zoran Krneta, was full of praise for him:

"Wilfried has been an integral part of Charlotte FC since arriving on loan last winter and has played a key role in our attack."

Statistics confirm this major influence. In 46 matches across all competitions, the Ivorian has racked up incredible numbers:

1. 13 goals scored
2. 14 assists provided

With a total of 27 direct contributions , Zaha thus enters the history of the young franchise by becoming the 5th most decisive player in the history of the club .

The Ivorian's moving farewell

Born in England but deeply attached to his Ivorian roots, the former number 9 of the Elephants wanted to express his gratitude to the city and the supporters via his social networks:

"The time has come to say goodbye. I simply wanted to thank Charlotte, the city, for welcoming me and my family with open arms and allowing me to fall in love with football again. There have been many ups and downs, but in the end, it's the journey that counts, and I loved every minute of it."

The striker also didn't forget the staff and his locker room partners:

“I want to thank everyone at Charlotte FC, from the coach to his coaching staff, and all the behind-the-scenes personnel who made me feel at home every day. Finally, guys! Thank you for supporting me every single day. I will miss you all immensely, but I will cherish our relationships forever.”

What future awaits Wilfried Zaha?

Following this particularly enriching experience in America, the striker will rejoin the Galatasaray SK squad. Barring any last-minute developments in the transfer market, Wilfried Zaha is expected to see out his contract and play for the Istanbul club next season.