Crystal Palace Sign US Prospect Zavier Gozo From Real Salt Lake

Crystal Palace have completed the transfer of United States youth international Zavier Gozo from Real Salt Lake on a five-year deal. The 19-year-old moves to the Premier League after establishing himself as one of Major League Soccer’s notable young attackers. The Guardian reported that the agreement is worth around $15 million, equivalent to approximately £11 million.

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The move was finalized on Tuesday following a rapid rise through Real Salt Lake’s system. Gozo entered the club’s academy in 2021 at age 14 and made his debut for reserve side Real Monarchs the following year. He reached MLS in 2023 while still 16, then developed into a regular option for the first team.

Gozo finished his first full MLS season with four goals and three assists across 1,810 minutes, according to the Guardian. His responsibilities shifted further forward this season, and he produced six goals and five assists in 1,417 minutes before the transfer. He has operated both as a right wing-back and in a more advanced attacking role.

His progression has also extended to the international level. Gozo, whose mother is American and father is Ivorian, received his first United States youth call-up in 2022 with the under-15 team. He has since become a regular in the country’s youth setup, although he was not included in the senior squad for this summer’s World Cup.

At Palace, Gozo will enter a squad managed by Pierre Sage and will train alongside United States defender Chris Richards. Any immediate role has not been specified, but the five-year contract gives the London club time to develop a player whose senior production increased substantially in his final MLS campaign. The transfer also provides Gozo with his first opportunity in European club football.

The deal gives Real Salt Lake a reported eight-figure return on a homegrown player developed through its academy and reserve pathway. For Crystal Palace, it adds a versatile teenage attacker with senior league experience and a record of increasing production. The Guardian characterized Gozo as being close to a breakthrough with the United States senior national team, but no senior debut has yet been confirmed.