Côte d’Ivoire international Wilfried Zaha has revealed that his conversation with Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith convinced him to sign for the Major League Soccer club.
The agreement, announced earlier this year, allows Zaha to play for the MLS club until January 2026, with an option for an extension until June 2026.
This transfer comes after a challenging stint at Lyon, where he struggled to find his form, making only six appearances.
During his introductory press conference, Zaha expressed enthusiasm for his new role at Charlotte FC.
He revealed that prior to finalizing the move, he watched game footage of the team on YouTube to familiarize himself with their style and strengths.
“Before I went to bed, I was on YouTube watching Charlotte games. I was just looking at what the team was like, the positives and stuff like that.
“That’s what I did first, and then continuing those conversations made sense to me.
“When I got traded to Turkey, everyone asked me, ‘Why are you going there?’ I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I just go where I want to go. And then I write my own story. That’s my mentality, I’m nobody. Once I talked to Dean (Smith), the manager, Zoran (Krneta) and a lot of people inside the club, I knew that was my destination.”
He added: “I’m not a big talker. I try to set an example. I don’t tend to gossip, blame and talk about my qualities or what I’m going to do, because you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow. The only way for me to prove how good I am is on the pitch.”
As a Designated Player for Charlotte FC, Zaha is expected to bring his elite skills and experience to the team.
General Manager Zoran Krneta praised him as a “world-class talent” capable of making an immediate impact.
With Charlotte having scored the fewest goals among playoff teams last season, Zaha’s arrival is seen as a crucial addition to bolster their attacking options.
