Roy Hodgson lamented the lack of an “iconic determine” at Crystal Palace after Wilfried Zaha left the membership to be part of Turkish giants Galatasaray.
Zaha was a free agent after the expiry of his Crystal Palace contract and had revealed he was in Istanbul for talks, having reportedly turned down a £200,000-a-week provide to stay at Selhurst Park.
Earlier this week, he took to Instagram to confirmed his exit from Palace, the membership he joined when he was 12 and scored 90 targets in 458 appearances, describing their shirt as his “second pores and skin”.
After Galatasaray introduced Zaha had signed a three-year deal value an annual £3.75million, Hodgson expressed his disappointment on the ahead’s exit.
“I used to be actually unhappy to hear that Wilf has determined to go away and begin a brand new chapter in his footballing life,” stated Hodgson, who earlier this month confirmed he would handle Palace for the 2023-24 season.
“I used to be at all times hoping that he would commit his future to the membership and I’d benefit from working with him once more this season.
We might not be the membership we’re right this moment with out Wilfried
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish
“I would really like to thank him personally for all the things he did throughout my time as supervisor.
“The membership is dropping an iconic determine and, though we remorse that it has not been attainable to persuade Wilfried to keep longer, we are able to solely want the easiest of luck to him and his household of their new enterprise.”
Zaha left Palace for Manchester United in 2013 however had two mortgage spells again in south London earlier than returning on a everlasting foundation in 2015.
The Ivory Coast worldwide, who made two appearances for England earlier than switching his allegiance, had additionally been linked with Lazio, Fenerbahce and Al-Nassr this summer time.
Palace chairman Steve Parish added on the membership’s web site: “Wilfried Zaha leaves the membership having been our greatest and most influential participant.
“After lengthy discussions it turned clear he wished a unique problem, to expertise one thing new and someplace totally different earlier than the top of his profession, and I believe that’s one thing we are able to all perceive.
“We might not be the membership we’re right this moment with out Wilfried. We’re getting into our eleventh consecutive season within the high flight, and he has spearheaded the overwhelming majority of these campaigns.
“An outstanding participant, who gave us unbelievable moments on the pitch and labored onerous in the neighborhood serving to encourage folks off it, he can be treasured in all of our reminiscences.”
