Marcel_Zajac

Marcel Zajac

Marcel Zajac

Canadian soccer player

Marcel Dominik Zajac (born April 29, 1998) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for League1 Ontario club Vaughan Azzurri.

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Early life

Zajac was born in Toronto to Polish parents, and later moved to Mississauga at age three.[1] He began playing soccer at age six with local club Erin Mills SC.[1] Afterwards, he joined the Sigma FC academy.[2]

College career

In 2016, Zajac began attending the University of Akron, where he played for the men's soccer team on a scholarship.[3][4] He scored his first collegiate goal on October 7, 2017 against the Buffalo Bulls.[5] In 2018, he helped Akron win the Mid-American Conference title and was named MAC tournament MVP,[6] as well as finishing as runner-ups for the NCAA National Tournament.[7] He was named a Second Team All-MAC All-Star in 2018.[4] He then spent some time training with Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew.[8] After the season, he departed Akron to turn professional, rather than to return for his senior season.[9]

Club career

While attending the University of Akron, Zajac continued to play with his youth club Sigma FC in the summer in League1 Ontario, beginning in 2015.[10][11] In 2016, he made 13 league appearances for Sigma, scoring five goals.[12] The following year, Zajac made six appearances and added three goals.[13] In 2018, he scored a career-high seven goals in eight appearances.[14] He scored back-to-back hat-tricks on May 12, 2018 against Windsor TFC and May 19, 2018 against Ottawa South United.[15][16]

On January 8, 2019, Zajac signed his first professional contract with Canadian Premier League side Forge FC, joining former Sigma FC coach Bobby Smyrniotis.[17][18] He made his professional debut as a substitute in the inaugural CPL match against York9.[19]

In March 2021, it was reported that Zajac signed with Watra Białka Tatrzańska of the Polish fifth division.[20][21] In June 2021, he trialled with Polish club OKS Stomil Olsztyn.[22]

In July 2021, Zajac signed with II liga side Olimpia Elbląg.[23] He left the club by mutual consent on November 30, 2021.[24]

In 2022, he played with Guelph United F.C. in League1 Ontario.[25]

International career

In 2014, he was called up to a camp with the Canada U17 team, and later attended a camp with the Canada U20 team.[1]

Personal life

Zajac's father, Czesław, was also a professional soccer player, who played professionally in Poland and Canada.[23]

Honours

Forge FC

References

  1. [1]
    Marcel Zajac at the Canadian Soccer Association
  2. [2]
    O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (July 14, 2020). "Forge's Zajac reflects on choice to go pro early in CPL: 'I definitely don't regret it'". Canadian Premier League.
  3. [3]
    Colpitts, Iain (February 21, 2016). "Mount Carmel soccer players off to the NCAA". Mississauga News.
  4. [4]
    "Marcel Zajac Akron Zips profile". Akron Zips.
  5. [5]
    "Akron Makes Statement with 4-0 Win Over Buffalo in MAC Opener". Akron Zips. October 7, 2016.
  6. [6]
    Bournival, Brad (November 11, 2018). "Zips win MAC title, NCAA bid". Akron Beacon Journal.
  7. [7]
    "Canadian forward Marcel Zajac leaves Akron early to sign with Forge FC". Sportsnet. January 8, 2019.
  8. [8]
    Sandor, Steven (January 15, 2019). "Zajac 'takes control of future' with Forge". Canadian Premier League.
  9. [9]
    "Zips soccer player turns pro". Akron Beacon Journal. January 8, 2019.
  10. [10]
    "Zajac And Kovacevic Continue To Burn Up Scoring Charts". Ontario Soccer Association. June 5, 2018.
  11. [11]
    "2015 Review: Men's Junior Talent Pool". League1 Ontario. October 23, 2015.
  12. [12]
    "Marcel Zajac 2016 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
  13. [13]
    "Marcel Zajac 2017 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
  14. [14]
    "Marcel Zajac 2018 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
  15. [15]
    Cerjanec, Robert (May 13, 2018). "Sigma Rides Zajac Hattrick To First Win Of Season". League1 Ontario.
  16. [16]
    Pike, Allie (May 19, 2018). "Pair Of Hat-Tricks Lead Sigma To 8-0 Win Over Ottawa South". League1 Ontario.
  17. [17]
    "'Standout attacker' Marcel Zajac leaves University of Akron to join Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. January 8, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  18. [18]
    Milton, Steve (January 8, 2019). "Forge FC building from offence". The Hamilton Spectator.
  19. [19]
    Desmond, Rhys (April 27, 2019). "CanPL Inaugural Match – Forge FC 1-1 York 9 – Match Recap & Analysis". The Mastermind Site.
  20. [20]
    Zubek, Maciej (March 13, 2021). "Pierwszy sprawdzian Watry" [Watra's first test]. Podhale Nasz Dom (in Polish).
  21. [21]
    "Marcel Zając". laczynaspilka.pl (in Polish). Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  22. [22]
    "Marcel Zajac na testach w Stomilu" [Marcel Zajac on tests in Stomil]. OKS Stomil Olsztyn (in Polish). June 28, 2021.
  23. [23]
    "Zając kolejną nową twarzą" [Zajac Another New Face]. Olimpia Elbląg (in Polish). July 9, 2021.
  24. [24]
    "Zając i El-Bouh opuszczają Olimpię Elbląg" [Zajac and El-Bouh leave Olimpia Elbląg] (in Polish). Olimpia Elbląg. December 6, 2021.
  25. [25]
    "Marcel Zajac 2022 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
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