Steve Zakuani born 9 February is a Congolese former footballer. Zakuani played for the Arsenal youth academy , but then struggled finding a team. He attended the University of Akron on a soccer scholarship, excelling as a forward. He quickly became a fan favorite as a winger with the speed and ability to take on opposing defenders. Success continued in with Zakuani scoring ten goals and debuting for the Congo DR national football team in a friendly. However, in , he suffered an almost career-ending leg injury.
He failed to recapture his early success upon returning in , before retiring after playing the MLS season with the Portland Timbers. After his retirement from soccer, Zakuani helps young athletes through charity work, joined the Sounders' game-day broadcast team, and coaches at Bellevue High School. When he was four, his father, Mao Zakuani, moved his family to London , for both political and professional reasons, as a translator.
At the age of nine, Zakuani attracted interest from West Ham United 's youth program. Zakuani became cocky and brash while not focusing on schoolwork before being released. His off-the-field issues culminated in serious injuries when he was involved in a crash on a stolen moped. Zakuani was unable to play for 18 months. After losing interest in soccer and renewing his scholastic efforts, he watched motivational speaker, and evangelist, Myles Munroe with a teacher.
This inspired Zakuani to renew his commitment to becoming a professional player and, although unsuccessful, he tried out for the senior teams of Queens Park Rangers , Wigan Athletic , AZ Alkmaar , and Real Valladolid. Zakuani attended the University of Akron after he was noticed while playing at north London's Independent Football Academy.
He was already committed to the university and declined the opportunity. Open Cup final , when the Sounders became the second MLS team to win the tournament in their inaugural season.
