Crystal Palace winger Wilfred Zaha caused a stir at his former primary school when he met hundreds of delighted students on the fires day of the summer term.

Zaha was last at Whitehorse Manor school 15 years ago, as an 11-year-old pupil and star of the football team.

On his return he was given a hero’s welcome, entering the hall to ear-piercing screams and chants of his name.

Speaking after the assembly, he said: “It was amazing, seeing so many familiar faces and being back here in general, a lot’s changed, but it’s nice to be back.

“When I was last here all I wanted was to be a professional footballer, so to come back here now in this position is just amazing, it feels like a dream.”

The assembly was run as part of a special event in conjunction with the Palace for Life Foundation.

Primary schools programme manager at the Foundation, Sam Bacon said: “Taking players into local schools is one of the most uplifting things we do at the Foundation, and it doesn’t get much better than taking Wilf Zaha back to his old school.

“The reaction from the children was priceless and Wilf passed on some really good advice to them, reminding them to work hard and believe in themselves.”