Steve Zakuani, DR Congo footballer: Profile, Career, News & Videos

Steve Zakuani is a Congolese former footballer. He was born in Zaire—now the Democratic Republic of the Congo—and grew up in London. After a successful college career, he played for the Seattle Sounders FC and the Portland Timbers.

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. In 2009, Seattle selected Zakuani with the first overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft. He quickly became a fan favorite as a winger with the speed and ability to take on opposing defenders.

Success continued in 2010 with Zakuani scoring ten goals and debuting for the Congo DR national football team in a friendly. However, in 2011, he suffered an almost career-ending leg injury. He failed to recapture his early success upon returning in 2012, before retiring after playing the 2014 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.