Adrian Zahra

Adrian Zahra

Zahra playing for Melbourne Heart in 2011
Personal information
Full nameAdrian Zahra
Date of birth24 September 1990
Place of birthMelbourne, Australia
Height1.69 m (5 ft 6 1⁄2 in)
Playing positionMidfield, Winger/Wingback
Club information
Current team
Melbourne Knights
Number25
Youth career
Fawkner Blues
North City Lions
Melbourne Knights
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2007–2010Melbourne Knights45(2)
2009→ Western Suburbs (loan)(4)
2010–2012Melbourne Heart19(2)
2012–2014Perth Glory18(3)
2014Valletta4(2)
2015–Melbourne Knights0(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 02:34, 27 August 2014 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Adrian Zahra (born 24 September 1990) is an Australian football (soccer) player who plays for NPL Victoria side Melbourne Knights FC.

Club career

Melbourne Knights

Zahra started his career being coached by Billy Vojtek in the youth system of Melbourne Knights before progressing to the senior side for the 2007/08 season.[1] He played nearly every game for the Knights in 2008 off the bench, but was soon loaned out to Western Suburbs SC in 2009 in the league below, the Victorian State League Division 1.[1] In 2010, Zahra returned to the Knights and capped off a sensational year with the club by receiving the 2010 Victorian Premier League U21 Player of the Year Award.[2]

Melbourne Heart

2010–2012

While still with Melbourne Knights, Zahra made a trial appearance for new A-League side Melbourne Heart, in an exhibition match against Premier League team Everton on 14 July 2010, which Heart lost 2-0.[3] Melbourne Heart went on to sign Zahra midway through their inaugural 2010-11 A-League season on a short-term contract upon the completion of the 2010 Victorian Premier League season. His contract was originally four weeks in length.[1] He made his début for the Heart in October 2010, in the first ever Melbourne derby.[4] After an impressive extended trial period, in which he scored two goals for Heart, he was signed by the club in December for an extra two years, his contract starting at the beginning of the 2011–12 season.[4][5]

Zahra continued his excellent run in his first season with the Heart, starting almost every game after his debut, but his season was cut short after an infamous incident during the third Melbourne derby on 22 January 2011. He was tackled by Melbourne Victory's Kevin Muscat late in the game, which made world-wide headlines.[6][7] As a result, Zahra sustained a serious knee injury in his right leg. Muscat received a red card for the tackle and was subsequently handed an 8-match ban.[8][9] Zahra was substituted out of the match, being unable to continue playing. He missed the remainder of the season due to the injury.[6] Surgery was required on his knee.[10] Zahra eventually made a full recovery.

Perth Glory

On 27 April 2012, Zahra signed with the Perth Glory. He made eight appearances for Perth in his first season there, including one goal against Adelaide United in Round 27. The following season, Zahra made 10 appearances, scoring two goals. After the completion of his contract at the end of the 13/14 season, Zahra left the Glory.

Valetta

Zahra then signed his first overseas contract, penning a deal with Maltese side Valetta. His stay there was only short lived, making five appearances and scoring two goals before being released in early December, 2014.

Return to Melbourne Knights

Zahra's return to Melbourne Knights FC was confirmed by the club on the 16th of February, 2015, days before the start of the 2015 NPL Victoria season.

Personal life

Zahra is of Maltese and Italian descent.[11] He attended high school at Penola Catholic College.[12]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Zahra signs for Heart on short term deal". Melbourne Knights FC. 24 September 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  2. ↑ "Melbourne Knights Website News". Melbourne Knights FC.
  3. ↑ Slevison, Andrew (14 July 2010). "Everton FC too good for Melbourne Heart". Tribal Football. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Heart Maintains Youth Focus With Zahra Signing". Melbourne Heart FC. Archived from the original on 7 January 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
  5. ↑ "Adrian Zahra signs two-year Heart deal". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "We bring you a list of the 15 biggest smash hits broadcast on Fox Sports over the past 15 years". Fox Sports. 9 April 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
  7. ↑ "Kevin Muscat ready to return to Victory". The Age. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
  8. ↑ Buttigieg, Luke (23 January 2011). "Muscat remorseful over 'mistimed tackle'". Sportal. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  9. ↑ Howcroft, Jonathan (23 January 2011). "Muscat red, rival fumes". The Age. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
  10. ↑ Bernard, Grantley (23 January 2011). "Kevin Muscat says sorry for his tackle on Adrian Zahra". Herald Sun. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  11. ↑ "Muscat handed eight-match ban". Times of Malta. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
  12. ↑ Phan, Daniel (22 March 2011). "Zahra-mania". Hume Leader. Retrieved 16 April 2011.

External links