Wilfried Zaha (born 10 November 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Süper Lig club Galatasaray and the Ivory Coast national team. Known for his exceptional dribbling skills, pace, and ability to beat defenders, Zaha has established himself as one of the most prominent attackers in English football for much of his career.
Early Life and Career Born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Zaha moved with his family to Thornton Heath, London, at the age of four. He began his football career in the Crystal Palace academy at the age of 12.
Crystal Palace (First Stint) Zaha made his senior debut for Crystal Palace in 2010. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a key player for the Championship club. His performances were instrumental in Palace's promotion to the Premier League in 2013, scoring in the play-off semi-final and winning a penalty in the final against Watford.
Manchester United In January 2013, Zaha signed for Manchester United for an initial fee of £10 million, though he remained on loan at Crystal Palace for the remainder of the 2012–13 season. His time at Manchester United was short-lived and largely unsuccessful, making only four appearances for the club. He was subsequently loaned to Cardiff City for the second half of the 2013–14 season.
Return to Crystal Palace After his brief stint at Manchester United, Zaha returned to Crystal Palace on loan in August 2014, with the move being made permanent in February 2015. Over the next eight seasons, Zaha cemented his status as a club legend and the Eagles' most influential player. He consistently led the team in attacking statistics, often being the primary source of creativity and goals. He became Crystal Palace's record Premier League goalscorer and one of their all-time leading appearance makers.
Galatasaray In July 2023, Zaha joined Turkish Süper Lig club Galatasaray on a free transfer after his contract with Crystal Palace expired.
International Career Zaha represented England at various youth levels, including the Under-19 and Under-21 teams. He earned two senior caps for England in friendly matches in 2012 and 2013. In 2016, Zaha announced his decision to switch his international allegiance to the Ivory Coast, his country of birth. He made his debut for the Elephants in January 2017 and has since represented them in multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Playing Style Zaha is renowned for his exceptional close control, dribbling ability, and speed. He is adept at taking on defenders one-on-one, drawing fouls, and creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Primarily playing as a winger, he is comfortable on either flank but often operates from the left, cutting inside on his right foot.
Honours
Club
- Crystal Palace
- Football League Championship play-offs: 2013
- Galatasaray
- Süper Lig: 2023–24
Individual
- Football League Young Player of the Year: 2012–13
- PFA Team of the Year (Championship): 2012–13
- Crystal Palace Player of the Year: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2021–22
- Premier League Player of the Month: April 2022