Gabriel Zakuani

Gabriel Zakuani is a defender of Peterborough United. He was born on 31 May 1986 in Kinshasa, Zaire.

In 2002, Gabriel graduated from the academy of Leyton Orient and put pen to paper of his first professional contract with the club. The footballer caught the manager’s eye at once and started to train even harder in order to clinch a place in the starting line-up. Zakuani eventually raised the level of his performance and earned the right to make occasional appearances on the pitch. He took part in 87 matches and netted three goals for the team during four years.

In 2006, Gabriel transferred to London side Fulham, but failed to make his début for ‘The Cottagers’ during six months and went on loan to Stoke City, where he featured in nine games during his first spell and in 19 games during his second spell.

In 2008, the footballer sealed a temporary deal with Peterborough United and fired one goal in 32 fixtures for the club during one season. Zakuani’s performance gave him a chance to pen a permanent contract with ‘The Posh’, which he eventually did in the summer 2009. The defender found the net six times in 202 matches for the team before a move to Kalloni in 2014. However, after a brief spell, Zakuani returned to his former club.

From 2005, Gabriel has been capped for the DR Congo national squad.