Wikipedia

Zachary Sukunda

Zachary Joseph Eli Sukunda (born June 24, 1995) is a Canadian soccer player who plays for Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League.

Zachary Sukunda
Sukunda with HFX Wanderers in 2019
Personal information
Full name Zachary Joseph Eli Sukunda
Date of birth (1995-06-24) June 24, 1995 (age 28)
Place of birth Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Full-back, Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Valour FC
Number 24
Youth career
Brockville SC
Ottawa South United
Ottawa Fury
2010–2011 AS Hull
2011–2012 Auxerre
2012–2015 Montreal Impact
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2016 FC Montreal 45 (1)
2017 Umeå FC 14 (0)
2018 Hume City 13 (0)
2018 Northcote City 6 (0)
2019 HFX Wanderers 17 (0)
2020 Ekenäs IF 19 (1)
2021–2022 PEPO 46 (6)
2023 Gnistan 26 (1)
2024– Valour FC 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of December 1, 2023

Early life edit

Sukunda was born in Ottawa, Ontario.[1][2] He began playing youth soccer with Brockville SC, before moving on to Ottawa South United and then to the Ottawa Fury Academy.[3] He later played youth soccer with AS Hull.[4] In 2011, after attending a scouting camp in Toronto, he was invited to trial[5] and then play with the youth system of French club AJ Auxerre.[6][7] In 2012, Sukunda joined the Montreal Impact Academy.[8]

Club career edit

In 2015, he began his senior career, signing with the Montreal Impact's second team FC Montreal in the USL.[9][10] He made his professional debut on April 18, 2015 against the Harrisburg City Islanders.[11] He scored his first professional goal on June 21, 2016, in a 3-2 victory over the Harrisburg City Islanders.[12] After the 2016 season, the club ceased operation, resulting in Sekunda having to find a new club.[13]

In March 2017, Sukunda signed with Swedish Division 1 Norra club Umeå FC.[14][15] In December, he left the club.[16]

In December 2017, Sukunda signed with Australian club Hume City FC of the NPL Victoria.[17][18]

In June 2018, Sukunda joined Northcote City FC.[19]

In November 2018, Sukunda was announced as the first ever signing for HFX Wanderers FC of the new Canadian Premier League.[20][21][22] After the 2019 season, the club declined his option for the 2020 season and despite interest from other CPL clubs, he sought a return to Europe instead.[23]

In December 2019, Sukunda signed with Finnish Ykkönen side Ekenäs IF for the 2020 season.[24]

In February 2021, he signed with PEPO Lappeenranta.[25] After the 2021 season, he signed an extension for the 2022 season.[26]

In January 2023, Sukunda joined Gnistan in Finland.[27][28] He helped Gnistan reach second place in the table, however, they lost in the promotion playoff final, failing to earn promotion.[29]

In December 2023, he returned to the Canadian Premier League and signed with Valour FC, ahead of the 2024 season.[30][31]

Personal life edit

Sukunda is the son of Eli Sukunda, a fencer who competed at the 1976 and 1984 Summer Olympics.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ Tait, Ed (December 1, 2023). "Zachary Sukunda: "I'm fully sold on this project, and I can't wait."". Valour FC.
  2. ^ Martin, Ludovick (December 2, 2020). "Sous le ciel de la Finlande" [Under the Finnish sky]. Viau Park (in French).
  3. ^ a b Larocque-Cyr, Raphaël (June 17, 2016). "A family tradition of perseverance". CF Montreal.
  4. ^ Comtois, Martin (July 21, 2011). "L'AJ Auxerre recrute à Gatineau" [AJ Auxerre is recruiting in Gatineau]. Le Droit (in French).
  5. ^ "HFX's Zach Sukunda on spider suits, 'Stephen Hart-isms', and Didier Drogba". Canadian Premier League. April 8, 2019.
  6. ^ Thompson, Marty (November 29, 2018). "Zachary Sukunda finds right fit at the 'perfect time' with HFX Wanderers FC". Canadian Premier League.
  7. ^ Marcuzzi, Arcadio (September 17, 2019). "Zach Sukunda: Un parcours remarquable" [Zach Sukunda: A remarkable journey]. Canadian Premier League (in French).
  8. ^ Mair, Gregg (February 12, 2019). "Sukunda and Serban's USL experiences helped set them on their path to the CPL". Away from the Numbers.
  9. ^ Matthias, Dylan (December 6, 2018). "Making sense of Zachary Sukunda's career path". The Merchant Sailor.
  10. ^ Kepner, Kyle (March 18, 2016). "Montreal's Sukunda confident ahead of year two". Indomitable City Soccer.
  11. ^ "Introducing the Canadian Premier League's First Players". The Other Football. November 29, 2018.
  12. ^ Murray, Nicholas (June 21, 2016). "Montreal Holds Off Harrisburg's Comeback Bid". USL Championship.
  13. ^ Milano, Pascal (January 21, 2019). "Zachary Sukunda: globe-trotter" [Zachary Sukunda: globetrotter]. La Presse (in French).
  14. ^ "Zachary Sukunda se tourne vers la Suède" [Zachary Sukunda turns to Sweden]. Journal Revue (in French). March 16, 2017. Archived from the original on October 31, 2017.
  15. ^ "Zachary Sukunda klar för Umeå FC" [Zachary Sukunda ready for Umeå FC]. Umeå FC (in Swedish). March 15, 2017.
  16. ^ "Officiellt: Sukunda lämnar Umeå FC - Da Silva förlänger" [Official: Sukunda leaves Umeå FC - Da Silva extends]. Fotboll Transfers (in Swedish). December 6, 2017.
  17. ^ "Welcome to Hume Zachary Sukunda". Hume City FC. December 14, 2017. Archived from the original on March 21, 2020.
  18. ^ "Hume City enjoys signs of youth times". Star Weekly. January 8, 2018.
  19. ^ Martin, Ludovick [@LeKurosawa] (June 11, 2018). "Nouvelle québécois à l'étranger. Zach Sukunda a été transféré du Hume City FC au Northcote City FC" [New Quebecers abroad. Zach Sukunda has transferred from Hume City FC to Northcote City FC] (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. ^ Hampshire, Gareth (November 29, 2018). "HFX Wanderers FC announce historic first player signing". HFX Wanderers FC. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018.
  21. ^ Young, Josh (December 1, 2018). "Hfx Wanderers announce Zachary Sukunda as team's first player". Signal HFX.
  22. ^ Benjamin, Graeme (November 29, 2018). "'It feels truly amazing': HFX Wanderers announce first official player signing". Global News.
  23. ^ "Zachary Sukunda on OneSoccer Hangout: 'I had my heart set on going back to Europe'". Canadian Premier League. May 27, 2020.
  24. ^ "Herrlaget Presenterar De Nio Första Kontrakten" [The men's team presents the first nine contracts]. Ekenäs IF (in Swedish). December 21, 2019. Archived from the original on July 20, 2021.
  25. ^ "Zachary Sukunda PEPO:n uusin pelaaajahankinta" [Zachary Sukunda PEPO's latest player acquisition]. PEPO Lappeenranta (in Finnish). February 2, 2021.
  26. ^ "Zach Sukunda jatkaa liloissa" [Zach Sukunda continues in Lila]. PEPO Lappeenranta (in Finnish). October 31, 2021.
  27. ^ "Zachary Sukunda ja Gnistan sopimukseen" [Zachary Sukunda and Gnistan to contract] (in Finnish). IF Gnistan. January 12, 2023.
  28. ^ Jacques, John (January 12, 2023). "Sukunda Inks Deal With IF Gnistan". Northern Tribune.
  29. ^ Tierney, Mitchell (December 1, 2023). "Valour FC announce signing of Canadian midfielder Zachary Sukunda". Canadian Premier League.
  30. ^ Jacques, John (December 1, 2023). "Sukunda Signs With Valour FC". Northern Tribune.
  31. ^ "Valour FC sign Canadian midfielder Zachary Sukunda". Valour FC. December 1, 2023.

External links edit

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