Wilfried Zaha was at the centre of one of the biggest stories of the transfer window in the summer.

Crystal Palace winger Zaha is long established as one of the Premier League’s most exciting players and it is no wonder that both Arsenal and Everton tried to sign him.

But lost in the headlines was the other story about Zaha who, as explained to Mirror Sport, is using his platform as one of football’s biggest stars to make a real difference in his native Ivory Coast.

Juan Mata has deservedly received praise for his role in being a co-founder of Common Goal in which players and managers donate at least one per cent of their wages to support football charities around the world.

But each month, Zaha donates TEN PER CENT of his contract - which is reported to be worth £130,000-a-week - to good causes, including his sister's orphanage, Tomorrow's Hope.

He has also set up the Zaha Foundation to help charity both in England and in Ivory Coast not least to help youngsters play football.

Zaha grew up as one of nine siblings in the Ivory Coast and it is too easy to look at every Premier League star and think they are just about money, fast cars and big houses.

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His rise to become an icon and symbol of hope in his own country represents a growing trend among players who want to use their fame to make a difference.

Manchester United star Mata, Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin and Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah are just three of a growing band of players to make donations and use their platform to be heard.

But few are as generous or surprising as Zaha who recently received the Best of Africa Award for Philanthropic Endeavour at a plush ceremony in London.

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In hearing him speak with eloquence, passion and authority, you realise he has matured into someone incredibly aware of his privileges which is the reason why he wants to give something back having grown up from humble beginnings.

But his charity work and profile is also the motivational force behind his football career even if he sounded more like a politician than a footballer when giving an incredibly impressive speech in getting his award.

(Image: Getty Images)

Zaha said: “My passion for football has given me a platform to do something I love and to help others that, like me, didn’t receive any help or handouts.

“I know what it’s like to come from nothing and not have any handouts, so I hope that what I’m doing is putting a smile on some people’s faces.

“Realising my dreams to be a professional footballer inspires me every day to help others.”

Zaha turns 27 next month and is as ambitious as ever in his career but says having the right support mechanism is vital for his future.

He said: “The upcoming years are probably my peak years and I want to make sure that I have people around me I can trust and rely on.

"I want to know that everyone around me is like family and we have got each-other’s back.”

But Zaha is already thinking about his future beyond football and is fully committed to putting all of his energies into his charity work after his playing days have finished.

Zaha added: “I love football and always give everything on the pitch, but I am aware that one day I will have another life with my charity, family friends and those trusted people around me.”