Gabriel Zakuani

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Personal information
Gabriel Zakuani
Full name	Gabriel Zakuani
Date of birth	May 31, 1986
Place of birth	, DR Congo
Position	Defender
Club information
Current club	Fulham
Professional clubs*
Years	Club	Apps (goals)
2002 - 2006 2006 -	Leyton Orient Fulham	87 (3) 0 (0)
National team
2005-	DR Congo
* Professional club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12/07/06.

Gabriel Zakuani (born May 31, 1986 in the Democratic Republic of Congo) is a professional footballer currently playing for Fulham F.C..

Zakuani moved to London in 1992 where Leyton Orient spotted him playing in one of his school matches as a 14 year old. After two seasons in the Youth Team, the 16-year-old was given his first team debut in a match against Bury Town in March 2003.

In the 2004/5 and 2005/6 seasons he become a regular in Martin Ling's plans, making the central defence position his own at Orient. He scored 3 goals in almost 100 first team appearances for the O's.

In January 2006, Zakuani was part of the Leyton Orient side that overcame Fulham, 2-1, in the FA Cup 3rd round. Zakuani and his team mates were eventually knocked out of the Cup by another Premiership outfit, Charlton Athletic.

In July 2006, he was signed by Fulham for a fee of £1m, rising to £1.5m depending on appearances, on a four-year contract. The fee represented a club record for Leyton Orient.

Zakuani made his international debut for the Democratic Republic of Congo in August 2005 against Guinea.