Ivory Coast international Wilfried Zaha will leave Charlotte FC at the end of his loan spell, bringing an end to his time in Major League Soccer after the American club confirmed they will not make the move permanent.
The 33-year-old winger joined Charlotte in January 2025 on loan from Turkish side Galatasaray but will depart once the agreement expires on 30 June 2026.
Charlotte FC announced the decision on Sunday, stating that the forward will exit the club following the conclusion of his loan deal.
The move ends a short but impactful spell in North Carolina for the experienced attacker.
Despite his departure, Zaha leaves behind a strong statistical record and a significant contribution to the club’s attacking output.
During his time with Charlotte FC, he featured in 46 matches across MLS regular season and playoff competitions, scoring 13 goals and providing 14 assists.
Those numbers place him among the most productive players in the club’s recent history. His total of 27 goal contributions means he finishes fifth on Charlotte FC’s all-time list in that category, underlining the influence he had during his stay in the United States.
In his first full season, Zaha played a key role in helping Charlotte reach the top four in the Eastern Conference for the first time, a milestone the club highlighted when confirming his departure.
Charlotte’s general manager, Zoran Krneta, praised the Ivorian’s commitment and impact during his loan spell, noting his importance to the team’s attacking structure and his attitude on the pitch.
“Wilfried has been an important part of Charlotte FC since his arrival on loan last winter and has played a key role in our attack since joining,” said General Manager Zoran Krneta.
“Last season, Wilf helped us reach the top four in the Eastern Conference for the first time, and he approached every match with a hunger and desire to perform for our supporters. Everyone at Charlotte FC thanks Wilfried for his contributions to the Club, and we all wish him and his family continued success throughout the rest of his career.”
Zaha’s departure from MLS also comes amid uncertainty over his long-term future.
Reports indicate that Galatasaray, his parent club, also have no plans to extend his contract, meaning he is expected to become a free agent when his deal officially expires on 30 June.
That situation leaves the former Crystal Palace forward free to negotiate with new clubs during the upcoming transfer window, opening the possibility of another move in what has been a well-travelled career across Europe and North America.
