Wilfried Zaha leaves Charlotte FC after missing Ivory Coast World Cup squad

Wilfried Zaha has confirmed his departure from Charlotte FC and will return to his parent club Galatasaray. The Ivorian forward is leaving Major League Soccer immediately, despite his loan deal running until the end of June. The decision follows his exclusion from the Ivory Coast squad for the upcoming World Cup.

During his time in the US, the 33-year-old made 46 appearances, recording 13 goals and 14 assists. While he helped the team reach the top four of the Eastern Conference last season, he acknowledged the journey had both highs and lows.

The moment has come to say goodbye but I just wanted to thank Charlotte, the city, for welcoming me and my family with open arms and allowing me to fall in love with the game again. Wilfried Zaha

General Manager Zoran Krneta thanked Zaha for his contributions to the club's attack since his arrival last winter. His departure provides Charlotte FC with significant roster flexibility, as the club now has an open designated player slot to utilize in the upcoming transfer window.

Zaha's future remains a talking point. Having signed a three-year deal with Galatasaray in 2023, he is reportedly unlikely to extend his stay with the Turkish giants. He is expected to attract interest from other clubs following the World Cup, given his extensive experience in European football.