Galatasaray’s acquisition of Zaha has left Crystal Palace manager Hodgson “extremely sad.”
Roy Hodgson bemoaned the departure of a “iconic figure” from Crystal Palace following Wilfried Zaha’s decision to sign with Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray.
After his contract with Crystal Palace expired, Zaha became a free agent. He had already disclosed that he was in Istanbul for negotiations, having apparently declined a weekly offer of £200,000 to stay at Selhurst Park.
He announced his departure from Palace, the team he joined when he was 12 and scored 90 goals in 458 appearances for, on Instagram earlier this week, calling their shirt his “second skin.”
Following Galatasaray’s announcement that Zaha had agreed to a three-year contract for £3.75 million annually, Hodgson expressed his dismay at the forward’s departure.
Hodgson, who earlier this month declared he will take charge of Palace for the 2023–24 campaign, expressed his sadness after learning that Wilf had made the decision to depart and begin a new chapter in his football career.
“I always thought that he would pledge his future to the team and that I would get to collaborate with him once more this coming season.
“I want to express my gratitude to him directly for what he accomplished while I was manager.
“The club is losing an iconic figure and we can only wish Wilfried and his family the very best of luck in their new venture, although we regret that we were unable to convince him to stay longer.”
After joining Manchester United after leaving Palace in 2013, Zaha spent two loan periods back in south London before making a permanent return in 2015.
The Ivory Coast international was linked to Lazio, Fenerbahce, and Al-Nassr this summer. He made two games for England before deciding to change his allegiance.
On the team’s official website, Palace chairman Steve Parish stated, “Wilfried Zaha departs the club having been our best and most influential player.
“I think we can all appreciate that after lengthy talks, it became evident he wanted a different challenge, to experience something new and somewhere different before the end of his career.
“Without Wilfried, we would not be the same club that we are now. We are about to begin our eleventh season in a row in the top division, and he has led the great majority of those campaigns.
He was an amazing player who inspired us off the field and offered us amazing moments on the field. He will always be cherished in our memories.
He was an amazing player who inspired us off the field and offered us amazing moments on the field. He will always be cherished in our memories.
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