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Zaha announces he’s leaving Charlotte FC after loan expires June 30, after failing to reach agreement on new contract
Wilfried Zaha on the ball in home opener against Austin F.C. (Photo by Robert Taylor of The 5 and 2 Project.)
Dynamic winger Wilfried Zaha played his last game for Charlotte FC Saturday night without a lot of fanfare. Perhaps for the first time since arriving 18 months ago, he played a workmanlike game, celebrated a 1-0 win over New England and strode off the Bank of America Stadium field without drawing a lot of extra attention to himself.
He took a hug in the neck from captain Ashley Westwood, and other teammates, a word of thanks, perhaps, in the ear and an embrace from general manager Zoran Krneta, and a couple of high fives with Charlotte FC fans on his way into the tunnel.
Zaha did not address the media after the game but made his departure official with an Instagram post Sunday morning. It was heartfelt and gracious, thanking Charlotte “for allowing me to fall in love with the game again.”
Zaha, 33, a longtime star forward for Crystal Palace, came to Charlotte FC on loan prior to last season, trying to resurrect a career that had soured in limited action with clubs in Turkey (Galatasaray) and France (Lyon). His loan was due to expire on June 30. He and Charlotte FC opened negotiations to attempt a new contract at the start of this season but never approached an agreement.
He brought his wife and two young children to Charlotte and made a home in Foxcroft. He was a regular at local shopping centers, family activities like Big Air and Carowinds, and restaurants around town.
Zaha finished his time in Charlotte with 13 goals, 14 assists (and 17 yellow cards, for those inclined to count) in 34 games. He leaves a 6-foot tall, agile-footed and short dreadlocked-sized impression of what it looks like when a legitimate star in the English Premier League shows up in our city.
“It’s been a pleasure,” said Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith on Saturday night, who was instrumental in recruiting Zaha, given his own Premier League coaching pedigree. “I’ve really enjoyed working with him. He’s a different character. We get on really well.”
Now, as Charlotte FC heads into a two-month World Cup break in sixth place in the Eastern Conference at 6-6-3, the front office will have to retool. Zaha vacates his designated player spot, meaning Charlotte will have at least one impact player they can sign with less regard for the MLS salary cap.
Related Fútbol Friday article:
“Time ticking on Zaha” (April 17)
Carroll Walton is a longtime baseball writer with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution now in her fifth season covering Charlotte FC. She would love to hear from you. E-mail her with questions, suggestions, story ideas and comments!