Zaha signs Crystal Palace extension

Wilfried Zaha has ended persistent transfer speculation by signing a new contract at Crystal Palace through to the end of the 2022-23 season.

Though he was heavily linked with Chelsea and Tottenham throughout the off-season, the Ivory Coast winger remained at Selhurst Park beyond deadline day and has now made a long-term commitment to his boyhood club.

Zaha, 25, originally joined the Eagles as a 12-year-old and emerged as a prodigious talent in the Championship, earning a move to Manchester United following his first three full seasons of senior football.

He eventually returned to Palace for a second loan spell in 2014 and, after signing permanently the following February, has gone on to become the club’s joint-highest scorer in Premier League history on 23 alongside Chris Armstrong.

South London and proud. Very happy to have signed a new contract with @CPFC #CPFC #GodIsGreat pic.twitter.com/r3OmiVobw8

— Wilfried Zaha (@wilfriedzaha) August 15, 2018

He pulled level with his strike in Saturday’s season-opening 2-0 win at Fulham, continuing the form that saw him net nine league goals last season.

“I’m very pleased,” Zaha said of his new contract. “Obviously, I just wanted to get it over and done with so I can just focus on the season. I’m buzzing that we managed to get it sorted.”

Palace chairman Steve Parish welcomed the deal as a sign of a deep bond between player and club.

Looks like there’ll be plenty more of this to come… @wilfriedzaha ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/F3KLRF1cyV

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 15, 2018

“This agreement is yet another example of his lifelong commitment to the club, and our commitment to him,” he said.

“This is an amazing day for everyone here at Palace, our supporters and of course Wilf – and is richly deserved.”