Marcel Zajac

Marcel Zajac

Personal information
Full name	Marcel Dominik Zajac
Date of birth	(1998-04-29) April 29, 1998 (age 25)
Place of birth	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Vaughan Azzurri
Youth career
	Erin Mills SC
	Sigma FC
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2018	Akron Zips	54	(18)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2015–2018	Sigma FC	27+	(15+)
2019–2020	Forge FC	25	(1)
2021	Watra Białka Tatrzańska
2021	Olimpia Elbląg	2	(0)
2022	Guelph United	15	(6)
2023-	Vaughan Azzurri	0	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of August 12, 2022

Marcel Dominik Zajac (born April 29, 1998) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for League1 Ontario club Vaughan Azzurri.

Early life

Zajac was born in Toronto to Polish parents, and later moved to Mississauga at age three. ^[1] He began playing soccer at age six with local club Erin Mills SC. ^[1] Afterwards, he joined the Sigma FC academy. ^[2]

College career

In 2016, Zajac began attending the University of Akron, where he played for the men's soccer team on a scholarship. ^{[3] [4]} He scored his first collegiate goal on October 7, 2017 against the Buffalo Bulls. ^[5] In 2018, he helped Akron win the Mid-American Conference title and was named MAC tournament MVP, ^[6] as well as finishing as runner-ups for the NCAA National Tournament. ^[7] He was named a Second Team All-MAC All-Star in 2018. ^[4] He then spent some time training with Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew. ^[8] After the season, he departed Akron to turn professional, rather than to return for his senior season. ^[9]

Club career

While attending the University of Akron, Zajac continued to play with his youth club Sigma FC in the summer in League1 Ontario, beginning in 2015. ^{[10] [11]} In 2016, he made 13 league appearances for Sigma, scoring five goals. ^[12] The following year, Zajac made six appearances and added three goals. ^[13] In 2018, he scored a career-high seven goals in eight appearances. ^[14] He scored back-to-back hat-tricks on May 12, 2018 against Windsor TFC and May 19, 2018 against Ottawa South United. ^{[15] [16]}

On January 8, 2019, Zajac signed his first professional contract with Canadian Premier League side Forge FC, joining former Sigma FC coach Bobby Smyrniotis. ^{[17] [18]} He made his professional debut as a substitute in the inaugural CPL match against York9. ^[19]

In March 2021, it was reported that Zajac signed with Watra Białka Tatrzańska of the Polish fifth division. ^[20] In June 2021, he trialled with Polish club OKS Stomil Olsztyn. ^[21]

In July 2021, Zajac signed with II liga side Olimpia Elbląg. ^[22] He left the club by mutual consent on November 30, 2021. ^[23]

In 2022, he played with Guelph United F.C. in League1 Ontario. ^[24]

International career

In 2014, he was called up to a camp with the Canada U17 team, and later attended a camp with the Canada U20 team. ^[1]

Personal life

Zajac's father, Czesław, was also a professional soccer player, who played professionally in Poland and Canada. ^[22]

Honours

Club

Forge FC

• Canadian Premier League: 2019, 2020

References

1. Marcel Zajac at the Canadian Soccer Association
2. O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (July 14, 2020). "Forge's Zajac reflects on choice to go pro early in CPL: 'I definitely don't regret it'". Canadian Premier League .
3. Colpitts, Iain (February 21, 2016). "Mount Carmel soccer players off to the NCAA". Mississauga News .
4. "Marcel Zajac Akron Zips profile". Akron Zips .
5. "Akron Makes Statement with 4-0 Win Over Buffalo in MAC Opener". Akron Zips . October 7, 2016.
6. Bournival, Brad (November 11, 2018). "Zips win MAC title, NCAA bid". Akron Beacon Journal .
7. "Canadian forward Marcel Zajac leaves Akron early to sign with Forge FC". Sportsnet . January 8, 2019.
8. Sandor, Steven (January 15, 2019). "Zajac 'takes control of future' with Forge". Canadian Premier League .
9. "Zips soccer player turns pro". Akron Beacon Journal . January 8, 2019.
10. "Zajac And Kovacevic Continue To Burn Up Scoring Charts". Ontario Soccer Association . June 5, 2018.
11. "2015 Review: Men's Junior Talent Pool". League1 Ontario . October 23, 2015.
12. "Marcel Zajac 2016 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
13. "Marcel Zajac 2017 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
14. "Marcel Zajac 2018 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
15. Cerjanec, Robert (May 13, 2018). "Sigma Rides Zajac Hattrick To First Win Of Season". League1 Ontario .
16. Pike, Allie (May 19, 2018). "Pair Of Hat-Tricks Lead Sigma To 8-0 Win Over Ottawa South". League1 Ontario .
17. "'Standout attacker' Marcel Zajac leaves University of Akron to join Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. January 8, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
18. Milton, Steve (January 8, 2019). "Forge FC building from offence". The Hamilton Spectator .
19. Desmond, Rhys (April 27, 2019). "CanPL Inaugural Match – Forge FC 1-1 York 9 – Match Recap & Analysis". The Mastermind Site.
20. Zubek, Maciej (March 13, 2021). "Pierwszy sprawdzian Watry" [Watra's first test]. Podhale Nasz Dom (in Polish).
21. "Marcel Zajac na testach w Stomilu" [Marcel Zajac on tests in Stomil]. OKS Stomil Olsztyn (in Polish). June 28, 2021.
22. "Zając kolejną nową twarzą" [Zajac Another New Face]. Olimpia Elbląg (in Polish). July 9, 2021.
23. "Zając i El-Bouh opuszczają Olimpię Elbląg" [Zajac and El-Bouh leave Olimpia Elbląg] (in Polish). Olimpia Elbląg. December 6, 2021.
24. "Marcel Zajac 2022 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario .

External links

• Marcel Zajac at the Canadian Soccer Association
• Marcel Zajac at Soccerway