Zachary Joseph Eli Sukunda (born June 24, 1995) is a Canadian soccer player who plays for Estonian club Kalev in the Meistriliiga.

Early life

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

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]

In January 2025, Sukunda signed with Estonian club Kalev in the Meistriliiga.[32]

Personal life

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

Career statistics

As of 23 October 2024.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[a] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
FC Montreal 2015 USL 23 0 – – 23 0
2016 USL 21 1 – – 21 1
Total 44 1 0 0 0 0 44 1
Umeå FC 2017 Swedish Division 1 15 0 – – 15 0
Hume City 2018 NPL Victoria 13 0 – – 13 0
Northcote City 2018 NPL Victoria 6 0 – – 6 0
HFX Wanderers 2019 Canadian Premier League 17 0 4 0 – 21 0
Ekenäs IF 2020 Ykkönen 19 1 5 0 – 24 1
PEPO Lappeenranta 2021 Kakkonen 22 5 1 0 1 0 24 5
2022 Ykkönen 24 1 2 2 3 0 29 3
Total 46 6 3 2 4 0 53 8
Gnistan 2023 Ykkönen 26 1 3 0 3 1 32 2
Valour FC 2024 Canadian Premier League 13 0 1 0 – 14 0
Tallinna Kalev 2025 Meistriliiga 0 0 0 0 – 0 0
Career total 199 9 16 2 7 1 222 12
  1. ^ Includes Canadian Championship and Suomen Cup

Honours

Gnistan

References

  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.
  32. ^ Pulst, Siim (January 14, 2025). "Kalev tõi oma ridadesse teisegi Kanada mängumehe" [Kalev brings another Canadian player to its ranks]. Soccernet (in Estonian).
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zachary_Sukunda
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