Zaha joins Galatasaray on three-year deal after Crystal Palace exit

Wilfried Zaha has joined Galatasaray after leaving Crystal Palace on a free transfer.

The Englishman has signed a three-year deal with the Turkish club that will see him earn €4.35 million (£3.75m) a year, along with a signing on fee of €2.35m (£2m), after he opted to let his contract expire at Selhurst Park.

It brings to an end Zaha’s long association with Crystal Palace, and he posted a lengthy message to fans of the south London club confirming his exit.

“As I start a new chapter I want to speak to you Palace fans who mean so much to me,” Zaha began.

“We have been through so much together, including 10 years in the Prem.

“There are loads of amazing memories that will stay in my head forever and also some really tough times along the way but I’m so proud to have played my part in getting us to the Prem and helping to keep us there.”

He later added his thanks to chairman Steve Parish and said he would be “forever grateful” for the memories created at the club.

Zaha joined the Crystal Palace academy in 2004 when he was just 12 years old, going on to make his first-team debut in a home defeat to Cardiff City in 2010.

He went on to sign a two-year deal before attracting interest from Manchester United, who bought the winger in January 2013 on a five-and-a-half-year deal.

Despite high expectations, Zaha failed to make an impact at Old Trafford and after a loan spell with Cardiff City, returned to Palace permanently in February 2015.

He went on to make 458 appearances in all competitions for the Eagles, scoring 90 goals and making 76 assists.

A host of other clubs were interested in securing his signature, but Zaha has now put pen to paper with Galatasaray after deciding not to renew his contract with Palace.

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