Charlotte FC goes bold, signs Galatasaray star Wilfried Zaha for MLS dominance | OneFootball

Charlotte FC sent shockwaves through the MLS market with confirmation of Ivorian forward Wilfried Zaha's signing on loan from Galatasaray until January 2026. The signing of Zaha brings not just his international reputation into the club, but also the quality and experience he will introduce into an attack that was toothless last season. And if there is something missing that is required to unlock this Charlotte squad, it's the magic that Zaha promises to unleash.

Ex-Crystal Palace legend and a goal scorer of 90 in 458 appearances, Zaha epitomizes commitment, talent, and resilience. The 32-year-old forward comes to the MLS with stats that read 100 goals and 59 assists from 524 professional matches.

The general manager of Charlotte, Zoran Krneta, was very complimentary to the player: "Wilfried is a world-class talent who has proven his worth at the highest level of the sport." That speaks to expectations around how immediate his impact would be, especially on a team that, though qualified for the 2024 playoffs, did so with the lowest goal return of all contenders.

Zaha and the Designated Players

Zaha now takes up one of Charlotte's three Designated Player slots alongside Liel Abada and Karol Swiderski. This attacking trio will be one of the most interesting offensive lines in MLS, balancing the youngsters' energy with versatility and experience from Zaha.

According to Krneta, "He brings valuable versatility to the attacking areas of the field and adds a bit of magic to our frontline." For a team trying to find its identity in just its second season under head coach Dean Smith, Zaha represents not only individual talent but also the opportunity to build a more dynamic and unpredictable attack.

Impact on the numbers

The main weakness of Charlotte last season was their inability to score goals. They scored just 46, the lowest among playoff teams. This limitation, which nearly cost them their postseason spot, demands an immediate solution-and Zaha could be the answer.

With a time-tested method of netting wins via goals or assists, the striker should set up and elevate the club's offense. More than that, he could inspire and create opportunities for Abada and Swiderski to increase their contributions, ultimately making Charlotte's attack more cohesive and effective.

Most of the experienced Zaha adds to the experience of participating in top tournaments of football at the level of Premier League and UEFA Champions League-great mentality to the team and is so promising at vital moments of this season.

Building a squad

Zaha's arrival is the crowning moment of a busy transfer window for Charlotte FC. Prior to his signing, the club added midfielders Eryk Williamson in a trade with the Portland Timbers and Pep Biel on loan from Olympiacos. These signings represent a trend for Charlotte: investing in players of complementary profiles in hopes of building a cohesive and competitive squad.