The Wilfried Zaha summer saga is finally over after the attacker joined Galatasaray this week on a three-year-deal.
The Turkish club confirmed the news on Monday after Zaha, 30, had rejected a huge offer from Saudi Arabia. Italian side Lazio were also interested in the forward.
Zaha, who was out of contract at Crystal Palace, has bagged a £2million signing-on fee and Galatasaray said he would receive £72,000 a week in wages (£3.75million per year).
Ivory Coast international Zaha made his debut for Palace against Cardiff City at Selhurst Park in March 2010 and finished on 458 appearances in all competitions, with 90 goals and 76 assists.
He had one period away from the club, with two different sides. Zaha joined Manchester United for £10million in January 2013 and was loaned back to the Eagles for the remainder of that season.
Zaha was out of favour under United manager David Moyes and was loaned to Cardiff in January 2014.
Croydon-raised Zaha made only four appearances for United, two of them starts, and re-joined Palace on a permanent deal in February 2015.
Zaha will have the chance to play in the Champions League proper this season as Galatasaray face Lithuanian side Zalgiris in the second qualifying round of the competition.
Zaha posted his farewell to the club on his Instagram account.
“As I start a new chapter, I want to speak to you Palace fans who mean so much to me,” he wrote.
“We have been through so much together, including 10 years in the Prem. There are loads of amazing memories. I’m so proud to have played my part in getting us to the Prem and helping to keep us there.
“I’ve been wearing the Palace shirt since I was eight years old, it’s literally been my second skin and I always gave EVERYTHING when I wore it.
“I grew up two roads away from the bright lights and loud crowds of Selhurst Park, having no idea that I would be at the centre of it all one day.
“I want to thank [chairman] Steve Parish, all of my team-mates, coaches and the entire Palace fanbase for always believing in me and encouraging me to get to where I am today.
“From the bottom of my heart, I’m forever grateful.”
Meanwhile, in another potential blow to Roy Hodgson’s attack, some big guns reportedly have Michael Olise in their sights.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City are being linked with a move for the 21-year-old winger.
France under-21 international Olise joined Palace from Reading for around £8million in the summer of 2021 and his creativity, including three assists in a 5-1 win against Leeds United last season, has caught the eye. He has six goals in 71 games for the Eagles.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is reshaping his Blues squad after a manic transfer splurge under his predecessors.
And Pep Guardiola’s City need a replacement as Riyad Mahrez is moving to Saudi club Al-Ahli.
