ROY Hodgson has admits the departure of Crystal Palace legend Wilfried Zaha is a “big loss”.
The homegrown winger quit Selhurst Park as a free agent after his contract expired to join Turkish side Galatasaray.
Palace wanted Zaha to stay in SE25 and although sad to see the attacker move on, Hodgson is backing the 30-year-old to thrive in Turkey.
The Eagles manager told Sky Sports: “He is a big loss. He’s been a mainstay at the club for so many years.
“Certainly during the four-and-a-half years I’ve had here, he’s really been a mainstay – an outstanding player and an outstanding club servant.
“Of course everyone at the club was really disappointed to see him move, but we can’t do anything other than wish him well.
“It was a conscious decision he made that this is the moment he needs to move on and try something else in his career.
“After the service he’s given us, one has to say that we understand where you’re coming from, and we reluctantly have to allow you to go because he’d run out of contract and wouldn’t sign a new one.
“I’m certain he will do very well in Turkey and I’m certain there will be many times during the course of the season I’ll be asked the question: ‘Do you miss Wilf Zaha?’
“And I’ll probably be answering: ‘Yes, we do’.”
Palace have since signed Matheus Franca to replace the departing Zaha, seeing off competition from Chelsea and Newcastle last week to complete a £26million deal.
However, the Brazilian teenager now looks set to miss the start of the campaign as he battles back to full fitness.
“The young lad from Brazil, whom we have very high hopes for, is not going to be available for the first period of time because he’s got an injury that he’s looking after,” Hodgson confirmed.
