Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha takes giant step towards retirement after purchasing new football club

Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has splashed the cash and bought a football club in his home country, the Ivory Coast.

The south London star has bought Espoir Club D’Abengourou alongside his brother Carin, as they look to invest into young and promising talents in the west African country.

The club plays in the third tier of Ivorian football and that is exactly the reason the Palace player saw it as the ideal club to invest his money in ahead of retirement.

The 29-year-old has been keen on giving back to the society after rising from obscurity to fame through football when his family moved from Abidjan to Croydon when he was only four.

He already has a foundation that supports the needy and is seen actively participating in charity events whenever the chance arises.

The latest acquisitions adds to his academy in south London and LondonWorld understands his brother Carin will be running it.

Zaha’s brother Carin told the press: “We have an U19 academy. We will play in the Division d’Honneur this season.

“The objective is obviously to go up, but first we want our youngsters to be in good shape and gain experience.”

Former Manchester United star Zaha has been in brilliant form since Patrick Vieira took over the club last summer.

Last season he scored 14 Premier League goals and led from the front as Palace reached the last four of the FA Cup.

He has four goals already this campaign and already looks like he will get double digits again this season.