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It all began because Zavier Gozo simply wanted to follow in his older brother's footsteps, playing youth soccer for local club Real Salt Lake.
"I was just trying to follow in his footsteps," the standout winger from West Valley City, Utah told Sports Illustrated last month. "All I wanted to do was play for the academy."
Just five years later, the 19-year-old hometown talent has already earned a Major League Soccer All-Star selection and is now heading to Europe to join Crystal Palace in the English Premier League — club soccer's most prestigious stage. He's also become a central figure in discussions about the U.S. men's national team and potential roster considerations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The teenage sensation could never have anticipated how rapidly his budding career would take flight.
"I think it even happened a little bit too fast for me sometimes to even think about and appreciate," he admits candidly. " ... Life moves so fast. You play well for a couple of games, and you're an All-Star. It came faster than I thought and faster than a lot of people thought. It's been a great journey."
Of course, the moment Gozo walked through the doors of Real Salt Lake's facilities at just 14 years old, his sights were firmly set on earning a spot with the first team — a dream shared by every young middle schooler who joins the academy.
It didn't take long for him to get his chance to prove himself. The winger made his MLS debut in October 2023 at just 16 years old, coming off the bench in a 2–2 draw against LA Galaxy.
"I didn't even know if I was traveling yet, then [manager] Pablo [Mastroeni] told me," Gozo recalls. "I was just so nervous. I was like, 'There's no way I'm getting into the game.' Then when I was actually there, when they told us we were coming on, my mind went blank at that point.
"I was just taking it all in, looking at the fans and not really believing what was happening, and when I got out there, it was just business as usual. It was amazing. I'll always remember that moment."
Gozo has come a long way from that wide-eyed kid. He cemented himself as a key starter on RSL's flank last season before elevating his game to an entirely new level this spring. In 16 starts across the first half of the season, Gozo netted six goals and chipped in five assists, earning a spot in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game while also attracting the attention of Palace.
Now another defining chapter awaits, as the Eagles officially completed a five-year contract for Gozo on Tuesday, reportedly paying RSL $15 million to secure the young star.
Zavier Gozo Bound for the Big Leagues
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"I'm really looking forward to playing in the Premier League with Crystal Palace. It's the dream of any footballer," Gozo said in the club's official statement on Tuesday evening. "I'm excited by the people and the project they have going on here. I've seen a lot of it, and that's what excites me about this club as well, the success that they've had."
The move feels like a full-circle moment for Gozo, who fondly remembers waking up early to watch Premier League matches with his family.
"Me and my brother used to watch all the Premier League highlights every day, all day and with my dad," Gozo said on Palace's social media. "It's crazy to think I could be in those highlights."
Gozo becomes the second American on Palace's roster, joining USMNT star center back Chris Richards, who is currently signed to a five-year deal with the club through 2027. The 26-year-old from Birmingham, Alabama was one of the standout performers for the USMNT at this summer's World Cup and could serve as a valuable mentor for Gozo, whose own senior national team debut appears to be drawing closer.
"Yo bro, it's Chris," Richards said in a video message to Gozo posted by the club on social media. "Heard through the grapevine you might be joining me in South London all the way from the 801. Can't wait to get going. Congrats bro, and see you soon."
The Stars and Stripes Are Calling
Gozo has made 27 appearances across various youth levels for U.S. Soccer, most notably as part of the U-20 side that finished as runner-up at the 2024 Concacaf U-20 Championship. He also featured in the 2025 U-20 World Cup in Chile.
His senior debut looks to be just around the corner and could arrive as early as the upcoming September international window, during which the USMNT will regroup following the World Cup and play four friendlies through early October.
"Just missing out on the 2026 World Cup obviously made me realize how much I did want to play for the national team," Gozo told Sports Illustrated. "And I do still want to play for the national team. It's definitely in my mind."
He added: "This World Cup definitely put a little fire under me to make the next one."
Gozo may be eager to earn his senior debut, but he's not feeling rushed. He understands that his path — however swift it has been at the club level — is entirely his own.
"Just learning that everyone has their own journey and everyone moves at their own pace," he says. "It doesn't mean that if you get there before me, you're going to be better than me, or you are better than me.
"That's something I've taken [into consideration] and thought about my whole career up until this point and will for the rest of my life."