Crystal Palace finalizing signing of Real Salt Lake teenager Zavier Gozo

Crystal Palace are finalizing the signing of American winger Zavier Gozo from Real Salt Lake.

Sources briefed on the situation, granted anonymity to protect relationships, said Gozo was in London on Monday to undergo a medical with Palace and complete the paperwork for his move.

Palace and Real Salt Lake have reached an agreement worth around $15 million (£11 million) for Gozo, allowing the 19-year-old to travel to the UK. It’s a new club-record for RSL, sources say.

Gozo will join up with his new teammates for preseason this week.

Gozo scored six goals and made five assists for RSL in 16 games this season playing as a wing-back, after initially breaking through as a winger. He has added quality in the final third to his game that already featured elite athleticism and dribbling ability. He made 50 first team appearances for RSL in total.

RSL has developed a number of first-team regulars and is no stranger to big outbound deals to Europe, with Andres Gomez joining French side Rennes for $11 million in 2024. But Gozo becomes the club’s new gold standard for academy-to-first team pathway, complete with a marquee transfer to Europe.

Gozo is a strong candidate to make his senior U.S. national team debut this fall, as he narrowly missed out on a late push to make the 2026 World Cup squad. He has been a regular in youth national teams.

Real Salt Lake hoped to keep the player for the season but, as Gozo made it clear he wanted to take the next step this summer and bids intensified, the club agreed to a deal with Palace.

Palace named Pierre Sage as their new head coach this summer after Oliver Glasner’s successful stint with the club came to an end, following a UEFA Conference League final triumph over Rayo Vallecano that qualified the club for a place in this season’s Europa League. Glasner has since moved to Nottingham Forest. Palace previously ended their 70-year trophy drought with an FA Cup win in 2025.

Fellow American Chris Richards remains a key player for Palace, who begins the Premier League season on August 22 against Everton.