After training with the Seattle Sounders for several months, Steve Zakuani announced via social media on Tuesday that he will not be making a comeback to professional soccer this season.
Video announcement Thank you as always. pic.twitter.com/AlL7CpJfwI
— Steve Zakuani (@Zakuani11) February 7, 2017
Seattle's former No. 1 MLS SuperDraft pick spent six years in Major League Soccer before injuries led him to retire in 2014. He had been working out with the first team since late 2016 and joined the squad for its preseason trip to Tucson, Ariz. Head coach Brian Schmetzer said on Jan. 27 that Zakuani was somewhere between advanced training with the club and playing recreationally.
Zakuani has spent the last two years working as a Sounders broadcast analyst and plans to continue doing that for the time being. He said he “could have a good career in MLS again” but with the season starting soon, he wouldn’t be ready in time.
Zakuani scored 17 goals and added 17 assists in 97 regular-season games for the Sounders and Portland Timbers.
