Rapper Stormzy teams up with Wilfried Zaha to buy new club – as free agent Crystal Palace star mulls next transfer

WILFRIED ZAHA and Stormzy have announced a deal to buy Croydon Athletic.

The out of contract Crystal Palace star has teamed up with the UK rapper as part of a three-man consortium.

The announcement from the south London club revealed the move to “acquire the assets of the club” was “many months” in the making.

It read: “We are delighted to embark on a new era at AFC Croydon Athletic, subject to final FA and league approval. This has been the culmination of many months of discussions.”

Zaha and Stormzy have been joined by former Crystal Palace head of player care Danny Young.

The statement continued: “The consortium will own, operate and develop their childhood hometown football club.

“Whilst completion is subject to legislative and governance procedures, the three consortium members are excited about developing a community asset in the borough that gave them their own opportunities.

“They hope to take the entire community on this exciting journey with them.

“There will be more updates to come from the consortium in due course on completion of the transaction. In the meantime there will be no further comment.”

The Rams – founded as a phoenix club of Croydon Athletic FC in 2012 – play in the 9th tier of English football.

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They compete at the 3,000 capacity Maryfield stadium.

Soccer aid boss Stormzy was born in Croydon.

In 2020 he donated £500,000 to fund educational scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds via his Merky Foundation.

Ex-Manchester United star Zaha has been in Palace’s academy since he was 12 years old.

However, with his contract set to expire, he has been linked with a transfer to Lazio.

The 30-year-old has recently been unwinding on a stag do.

Fans reacted to the news with excitement, as one replied: “Incredible – a great day to be a Croydon boy!”

A second said: “Guess I’m a Croydon fan now.”

A third wrote: “Up the Croydon! …where can I buy a shirt?! 😎.”

“This is superb,” declared a fourth.

While another added: “Wow, come on the Rams.”