25 July 2023 , 08:55
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Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has hailed Wilfried Zaha as the club's "best and most influential player." after the Ivorian international completed a move to Galatasaray.
Zaha was a free agent after his Palace contract expired, and he turned down offers from a number of other clubs to move to Turkey. He spoke to former Palace team-mate Patrick van Aanholt and fellow Cote d'Ivoire star Didier Drogba - both of whom have turned out for the Istanbul club - before opting to move to Istanbul.
After coming through the ranks at Selhurst Park, the 30-year-old left for Manchester United in 2013 but returned soon after. He made more than 300 appearances in his second spell with the Eagles, and more than 450 in total.
“Wilfried Zaha leaves the club having been our best and most influential player," Parish said. "As much as we would have loved him to stay, after long discussions it became clear he wanted a different challenge, to experience something new and somewhere different before the end of his career, and I think that’s something we can all understand.
“I would like to personally thank Wilfried for everything he has done for this football club. He leaves as our most capped Academy graduate, our talisman, our greatest player, and he leaves lifelong friends behind. He remains a true inspiration for all our young players in the Academy and at the early stages of their Palace career - all of whom dream of being the next Zaha.
“We would not be the club we are today without Wilfried. We are entering our 11th consecutive season in the top flight, and he has spearheaded the vast majority of those campaigns. A phenomenal player, who gave us incredible moments on the pitch and worked hard in the community helping inspire people off it, he will be treasured in all of our memories.
“Good luck, Wilfried, I like many Palace fans will watch from afar and wish you every success on your new adventure.”
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Wilfried Zaha's second Crystal Palace spell has come to an end (PA)Palace manager Roy Hodgson has also sent a message to the man who won the penalty to take Palace back to the Premier League in 2013. Hodgson himself returned to take charge last season, saving the club from relegation, and has agreed an extension for the coming season.
"I was really sad to hear that Wilf has decided to leave and start a new chapter in his footballing life," the 75-year-old said. "I was always hoping that he would commit his future to the club and I would have the benefit of working with him again this season.
"I can only endorse all that the Chairman has said, which encapsulates everything that I and the coaching staff who have worked with Wilfried closely, feel. I would like to thank him personally for everything he did during my time as manager.
"The club is losing an iconic figure and although we regret that it has not been possible to persuade Wilfried to stay longer, we can only wish him very best of luck to him and his family in their new venture”
Zaha spoke to former Galatasaray star Didier Drogba before making the move (AFP/Getty Images)The move to Galatasaray means Zaha will finally get a taste of Champions League football. He wasn't used by Man Utd in their 2013-14 campaign in the competition, but the Turkish champions have been drawn against Zalgiris of Lithuania in qualifying after winning the Super Lig by eight points last term.
“It was a wonderful welcome. Many of our fans were there. This is how I saw how big a club Galatasaray is," Zaha said after moving to Turkey.
"I will have the opportunity to play in the Champions League for the first time. I will give my contribution when I can and make an effort to move forward.
"To be honest, I talked to many of my friends before I came, like Drogba, van Aanholt. Drogba told me to come here and see. When I wear the jersey, I will give my 100 percent. We want to win the championship for our fans this season.”