‘This is my destination…I make my own history’ – Words of global star Wilfried Zaha as player set for MLS debut with Charlotte FC

Wilfried Zaha has officially arrived at Charlotte FC, poised to make his Major League Soccer debut as the club kicks off its regular season against the Seattle Sounders.

The experienced forward, who has built a reputation as a dynamic and skillful attacker, is expected to play a vital role in helping Charlotte secure a third consecutive trip to the MLS Cup playoffs.

Before making his decision to join the club, Zaha took a meticulous approach, watching YouTube videos of Charlotte FC matches late into the night. Even before speaking with head coach Dean Smith or general manager Zoran Krneta, he felt that the team’s style of play suited him. A club known for its defensive strength, Charlotte’s ability to move the ball offensively stood out to the Ivorian international, as did the passionate fanbase that consistently fills Bank of America Stadium, giving Charlotte the second-highest attendance in MLS.

“I’m not much of a talker — my thing is I try to lead by example,” Zaha stated in his introductory press conference. “I don’t tend to blab and blame and talk about how good I am or what I’m going to do, because you don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. The only way I can prove how good I am is on the pitch.”

A Career of Bold Choices

At 32, Zaha’s career has been defined by his willingness to carve his own path. Signed by Charlotte on loan from Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray, he brings a wealth of top-flight experience, having scored 68 goals in 305 Premier League appearances.

Born in the Ivory Coast, Zaha moved to England at the age of four and rose to prominence at Crystal Palace, where he played a crucial role in their promotion to the Premier League. A brief spell at Manchester United in 2013-14 saw him return to Palace, where he remained a key figure for nearly a decade. More recently, he embraced new challenges in France’s Ligue 1 with Lyon before moving to Turkey, where he had the opportunity to showcase his talent in the UEFA Champions League.

Now, his focus is set on making an impact in MLS.

“Before bed, I was on YouTube just watching the Charlotte games,” Zaha shared. “I was just seeing what the team’s like, positives and stuff like that. That’s what I did first, and then having the conversations just made sense to me.

“My thing is, with how my career has gone and places I’ve been — I went to Turkey, everyone’s like, ‘Why would you go there?’ I don’t care what other people think. I just go where I feel like I want to go. And then I make my own history. That’s my mentality; I never follow anyone. Once I spoke to Dean (Smith) the manager and Zoran (Krneta) and a lot of the people inside, I knew that this is my destination.”

With his arrival, Charlotte FC gains a proven performer with elite-level experience, while Zaha embarks on a new journey, ready to make his mark in MLS on his own terms.

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