Crystal Palace have finalized the transfer of US starlet Zavier Gozo from Real Salt Lake in a five-year deal reportedly worth around £11m. The 19-year-old American has been one of the most rapid ascents of any American men's prospect in recent memory, joining the Real Salt Lake academy in 2021 at age 14 and debuting with their second team, Real Monarchs, a year later. His MLS debut came in 2023, when he was still just 16, and he has since emerged as an option at right wing-back, offering precocious confidence on the ball. This season, Gozo has been given increased license to stay upfield, with his technique in close quarters impressing, and his end product on greater display, with six goals and five assists in 1,417 minutes thus far. His ability to set up his own shot as well as create dangerous looks for his teammates helps him stand out, with 67 progressive carries upfield, per Futi, a category led by Lionel Messi, Denis Bouanga, Evander and Anders Dreyer – four members of last year's MLS Best XI. The question for any young player of Gozo's caliber is how best to position themselves for international consideration, and with strong performances in MLS providing no guarantee of landing on a national team, Gozo felt he was nearing the ideal window for making a move across the Atlantic. With Palace every day training with US mainstay Chris Richards, Gozo figures to be in contention with the players who made the squad for this summer's tournament for a place in the US's plans over the next four years. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 15th in Premier League, 45 pts, 11W-12D-15L from 38 games, recent form LDLDL. Goals this season: 41 scored, 51 conceded (-10 goal difference). Title race: 40 points behind leaders Arsenal. Next fixture: vs Coventry (at home, 2027-02-06).