Crystal Palace are reportedly close to signing US teenager Zavier Gozo for £11 million, as medicals were reportedly done on Monday.
Crystal Palace are reportedly close to adding some serious young talent to their squad. As per the latest news, the Eagles are finalising the transfer of Real Salt Lake winger Zavier Gozo for £11 million.
The 19-year-old is viewed as a rising star within U.S. soccer circles. He’s already made 50 career appearances across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and adding eight assists. His current season haul has six goals and five assists, which was enough to earn him a spot in the MLS All-Star team.
According to the New York Times, Gozo was in London on Monday to undergo his medical with Palace and complete the paperwork. The deal is worth around $15 million (£11 million), which represents a new club-record fee for Real Salt Lake.
The USMNT Connection
Javier Gozo has already made some impressions on the international stage. He was part of the U.S. U-20 squad that reached the quarterfinals at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He scored the opener in USA’s 3-0 group stage victory over France.
His attacking ability saw him make a late push to be named to the U.S. World Cup squad last summer, but he ultimately missed out. That disappointment won’t have done him any harm, though. He’s expected to be called up later this year as manager Mauricio Pochettino looks to rebuild his squad.
It helps that he’ll have a familiar face at Selhurst Park. Fellow American Chris Richards remains a key player for Palace, and having someone who’s been through the MLS-to-Premier League transition could be invaluable for a young player.
What Javier Gozo Brings to Selhurst Park
So what kind of player are Palace getting? Gozo likes to dribble, which is always exciting. He’s a genuine counter-attack threat and likes to play short passes and isn’t afraid to take defenders head-on.
At 19, he’s raw but clearly talented. Crystal Palace have a history of developing young players and turning them into top-tier assets. The club will be hoping Javier Gozo follows a similar path.
RSL haven’t let him go cheaply either. Palace are set to pay £11 million to sign the teenager, with RSL retaining a 20% and 25% return in the event of a future deal with another club. That suggests the Eagles are confident his value is only going to go up.
It’s been a busy summer at Selhurst Park. New manager Pierre Sage has already brought in Dwight McNeil and Takehiro Tomiyasu and now Gozo looks set to join the ranks. The kid has bags of potential and a point to prove after missing out on the World Cup. If he settles quickly, Palace could have a real gem on their hands.
