Ivory Coast international Wilfried Zaha says he is glad he can concentrate on the current Premier League season after signing a new five-year contract with Crystal Palace.
Zaha rejoined his boyhood club in 2015 after a failed spell at Manchester United and he has been absolutely pivotal for Palace since returning, scoring 19 goals from 99 Premier League appearances.
The 25-year-old forward was subject of more transfer interest this summer and Tottenham Hotspur were believed to be closing in on his signature at one stage during the window.
However, Spurs, who become the first club in Premier League history to not sign a single player in the summer window, failed to land the Ivorian and the Eagles have now managed to tie down their talisman until the summer of 2023.
Zaha’s commitment to the club is a massive moment and he is now looking to kick on from the 2-0 victory at Fulham on the opening weekend after sorting out his long-term future.
“I’m very pleased. Obviously, I just wanted to get it over and done with, so I can just focus on the season,” he told the club’s official website. “I’m buzzing that we managed to get it sorted.”
Palace chairman Steve Parish also reacted to the extension, saying: “Wilf grew up a stone’s throw from Selhurst Park from the age of four, and has been with the club since he was 12.”
“This agreement is yet another example of his lifelong commitment to the club, and our commitment to him. This is an amazing day for everyone here at Palace, our supporters and of course for Wilfried who is richly deserved.”
Palace are back in action on Monday when they welcome Liverpool, who thrashed West Ham United 4-0 in their opening match, to Selhurst Park and Zaha will be hoping to continue his goalscoring form.
The forward grabbed the second in the 2-0 win over Fulham and the Reds will need to be on top of their game if they are going to stop the Abidjan-born star.
