{{short description|Canadian soccer player (born 1995)}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Zachary Sukunda |image = Zachary Sukunda of HFX Wanderers.jpg |image_size = 170 |caption = Sukunda with HFX Wanderers in 2019 |fullname = Zachary Joseph Eli Sukunda |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|06|24}} |birth_place = Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |height = 1.75 m |position = Full-back, Midfielder |currentclub = Eintracht Nordhorn |clubnumber = |youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = Brockville SC |youthyears2 = |youthclubs2 = Ottawa South United |youthyears3 = |youthclubs3 = Ottawa Fury |youthyears4 = 2010–2011 |youthclubs4 = AS Hull |youthyears5 = 2011–2012 |youthclubs5 = Auxerre |youthyears6 = 2012–2015 |youthclubs6 = Montreal Impact |years1 = 2015–2016 |clubs1 = FC Montreal |caps1 = 45 |goals1 = 1 |years2 = 2017 |clubs2 = Umeå FC |caps2 = 14 |goals2 = 0 |years3 = 2018 |clubs3 = Hume City |caps3 = 13 |goals3 = 0 |years4 = 2018 |clubs4 = Northcote City |caps4 = 6 |goals4 = 0 |years5 = 2019 |clubs5 = HFX Wanderers |caps5 = 17 |goals5 = 0 |years6 = 2020 |clubs6 = EIF |caps6 = 19 |goals6 = 1 |years7 = 2021–2022 |clubs7 = PEPO |caps7 = 46 |goals7 = 6 |years8 = 2023 |clubs8 = Gnistan |caps8 = 26 |goals8 = 1 |years9 = 2024 |clubs9 = Valour FC |caps9 = 13 |goals9 = 0 |years10= 2025 |clubs10= Kalev |caps10= 23 |goals10= 1 |years11= 2026– |clubs11= Eintracht Nordhorn |caps11= 0 |goals11= 0 |club-update = November 17, 2025 }} '''Zachary Joseph Eli Sukunda''' (born June 24, 1995) is a Canadian soccer player who plays for German club Eintracht Nordhorn in the Landesliga Weser-Ems.
==Early life== Sukunda was born in Ottawa, Ontario.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/im-fully-sold-on-this-project-and-i-cant-wait|title=Zachary Sukunda: "I'm fully sold on this project, and I can't wait."|date=December 1, 2023|first=Ed|last=Tait|work=Valour FC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://viaupark.ca/2020/12/02/sous-le-ciel-de-la-finlande-deuxieme-partie/|title=Sous le ciel de la Finlande|trans-title=Under the Finnish sky|first=Ludovick|last=Martin|work=Viau Park|language=fr|date=December 2, 2020}}</ref> He began playing youth soccer with Brockville SC, before moving on to Ottawa South United and then to the Ottawa Fury Academy.<ref name=tradition /> He later played youth soccer with AS Hull.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ledroit.com/2011/07/21/laj-auxerre-recrute-a-gatineau-4b2dbdb4ed8df188dd3a565620d0cbec/|title=L'AJ Auxerre recrute à Gatineau|date=July 21, 2011|language=fr|trans-title=AJ Auxerre is recruiting in Gatineau|first=Martin|last=Comtois|work=Le Droit}}</ref> In 2011, after attending a scouting camp in Toronto, he was invited to trial<ref>{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/listen-hfxs-sukunda-on-stephen-hart-isms-spider-suits-and-didier-drogba|title=HFX's Zach Sukunda on spider suits, 'Stephen Hart-isms', and Didier Drogba|date=April 8, 2019|work=Canadian Premier League}}</ref> and then play with the youth system of French club AJ Auxerre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/video/zachary-sukunda-finds-right-fit-at-the-perfect-time-with-hfx-wanderers-fc|title=Zachary Sukunda finds right fit at the 'perfect time' with HFX Wanderers FC|date=November 29, 2018|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Marty|last=Thompson|access-date=December 2, 2023|archive-date=December 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202023617/https://canpl.ca/video/zachary-sukunda-finds-right-fit-at-the-perfect-time-with-hfx-wanderers-fc|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/zach-sukunda-un-parcours-remarquable-fr|title=Zach Sukunda: Un parcours remarquable|trans-title=Zach Sukunda: A remarkable journey|language=fr|date=September 17, 2019|first=Arcadio|last=Marcuzzi|work=Canadian Premier League}}</ref> In 2012, Sukunda joined the Montreal Impact Academy.<ref name=path>{{cite web|url=https://aftn.ca/sukunda-and-serbans-usl-experiences-helped-set-them-on-their-path-to-the-cpl/|title=Sukunda and Serban's USL experiences helped set them on their path to the CPL|date=February 12, 2019|first=Gregg|last=Mair|work=Away from the Numbers}}</ref>
==Club career== In 2015, he began his senior career, signing with the Montreal Impact's second team FC Montreal in the USL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://themerchantsailor.com/making-sense-of-zachary-sukundas-career-path/|title=Making sense of Zachary Sukunda's career path|date=December 6, 2018|work=The Merchant Sailor|first=Dylan|last=Matthias}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/around-the-usl/2016/3/18/11259892/montreals-sukunda-confident-ahead-of-year-two|title=Montreal's Sukunda confident ahead of year two|work=Indomitable City Soccer|first=Kyle|last=Kepner|date=March 18, 2016}}</ref> He made his professional debut on April 18, 2015 against the Harrisburg City Islanders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theotherfootball.ca/2018/11/9113-2/|title=Introducing the Canadian Premier League's First Players|date=November 29, 2018|work=The Other Football|access-date=December 2, 2023|archive-date=December 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202062151/https://theotherfootball.ca/2018/11/9113-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He scored his first professional goal on June 21, 2016, in a 3-2 victory over the Harrisburg City Islanders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/662946-montreal-holds-off-harrisburg-s-comeback-bid|title=Montreal Holds Off Harrisburg's Comeback Bid|date=June 21, 2016|work=USL Championship|first=Nicholas|last=Murray}}</ref> After the 2016 season, the club ceased operation, resulting in Sekunda having to find a new club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lapresse.ca/sports/soccer/201901/21/01-5211781-zachary-sukunda-globe-trotter.php|title=Zachary Sukunda: globe-trotter|trans-title=Zachary Sukunda: globetrotter|language=fr|first=Pascal|last=Milano|date=January 21, 2019|work=La Presse}}</ref>
In March 2017, Sukunda signed with Swedish Division 1 Norra club Umeå FC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.journallarevue.com/sports/soccer/2017/3/16/zachary-sukunda-se-tourne-vers-la-suede.html|trans-title=Zachary Sukunda turns to Sweden|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031180825/https://www.journallarevue.com/sports/soccer/2017/3/16/zachary-sukunda-se-tourne-vers-la-suede.html|archive-date=October 31, 2017|url-status=usurped|website=Journal Revue|language=fr|date=March 16, 2017|title=Zachary Sukunda se tourne vers la Suède}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ufc.se/zachary-sukunda-klar-for-umea-fc/|trans-title=Zachary Sukunda ready for Umeå FC|title=Zachary Sukunda klar för Umeå FC|language=Swedish|date=March 15, 2017|work=Umeå FC}}</ref> In December, he left the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fotbolltransfers.com/nyheter/officiellt-sukunda-lamnar-umea-fc--da-silva-forlanger/86686|title=Officiellt: Sukunda lämnar Umeå FC - Da Silva förlänger|date=December 6, 2017|work=Fotboll Transfers|language=Swedish|trans-title=Official: Sukunda leaves Umeå FC - Da Silva extends}}</ref>
In December 2017, Sukunda signed with Australian club Hume City FC of the NPL Victoria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://humecityfc.com/2017/12/14/welcome-to-hume-zach-sukunda/|title=Welcome to Hume Zachary Sukunda|date=December 14, 2017|archive-date=March 21, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321052854/http://humecityfc.com/2017/12/14/welcome-to-hume-zach-sukunda/|work=Hume City FC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://northern.starweekly.com.au/sport/hume-city-enjoys-signs-youth-times/|title=Hume City enjoys signs of youth times|date=January 8, 2018|work=Star Weekly}}</ref>
In June 2018, Sukunda joined Northcote City FC.<ref>{{cite tweet|title=Nouvelle québécois à l'étranger. Zach Sukunda a été transféré du Hume City FC au Northcote City FC|user=LeKurosawa|number=1006287451177082881|first=Ludovick|last=Martin|trans-title=New Quebecers abroad. Zach Sukunda has transferred from Hume City FC to Northcote City FC|date=June 11, 2018}}</ref>
In November 2018, Sukunda was announced as the first ever signing for HFX Wanderers FC of the new Canadian Premier League.<ref name=first>{{cite web|first=Gareth|last=Hampshire|title=HFX Wanderers FC announce historic first player signing|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/hfx-wanderers-fc-announce-historic-first-player-signing|publisher=HFX Wanderers FC|date=November 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129225223/https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/hfx-wanderers-fc-announce-historic-first-player-signing|archive-date=November 29, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://signalhfx.ca/hfx-wanderers-announce-zachary-sukunda-as-teams-first-player/|title=Hfx Wanderers announce Zachary Sukunda as team's first player|date=December 1, 2018|work=Signal HFX|first=Josh|last=Young}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4712202/hfx-wanderers-player-signing/|title='It feels truly amazing': HFX Wanderers announce first official player signing|first=Graeme|last=Benjamin|work=Global News|date=November 29, 2018}}</ref> After the 2019 season, the club declined his option for the 2020 season and despite interest from other CPL clubs, he sought a return to Europe instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/zachary-sukunda-on-onesoccer-hangout-i-had-my-heart-set-on-going-back-to-europe|title=Zachary Sukunda on OneSoccer Hangout: 'I had my heart set on going back to Europe'|date=May 27, 2020|work=Canadian Premier League}}</ref>
In December 2019, Sukunda signed with Finnish Ykkönen side Ekenäs IF for the 2020 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ekenasif.fi/fotbollherrlaget/aktuellt/herrlaget-presenterar-de-nio-foersta-kontrakten|title=Herrlaget Presenterar De Nio Första Kontrakten|website=Ekenäs IF|date=December 21, 2019|archive-date=July 20, 2021|url-status=dead|language=Swedish|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720171323/https://www.ekenasif.fi/fotbollherrlaget/aktuellt/herrlaget-presenterar-de-nio-foersta-kontrakten|trans-title=The men's team presents the first nine contracts}}</ref>
In February 2021, he signed with PEPO Lappeenranta.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lilat.fi/zachary-sukunda-pepon-uusin-pelaaajahankinta/|title=Zachary Sukunda PEPO:n uusin pelaaajahankinta|trans-title=Zachary Sukunda PEPO's latest player acquisition|date=February 2, 2021|language=Finnish|work=PEPO Lappeenranta}}</ref> After the 2021 season, he signed an extension for the 2022 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lilat.fi/zach-sukunda-jatkaa-liloissa/|title=Zach Sukunda jatkaa liloissa|trans-title=Zach Sukunda continues in Lila|date=October 31, 2021|language=Finnish|work=PEPO Lappeenranta}}</ref>
In January 2023, Sukunda joined Gnistan in Finland.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=IF Gnistan|url=https://gnistan.fi/2023/01/zachary-sukunda-ja-gnistan-sopimukseen/|title=Zachary Sukunda ja Gnistan sopimukseen|trans-title=Zachary Sukunda and Gnistan to contract|date=January 12, 2023|language=fi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/if-gnistan-zachary-sukunda/|title=Sukunda Inks Deal With IF Gnistan|date=January 12, 2023|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}}</ref> He helped Gnistan reach second place in the table, however, they lost in the promotion playoff final, failing to earn promotion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/valour-fc-announce-signing-of-canadian-midfielder-zachary-sukunda|title=Valour FC announce signing of Canadian midfielder Zachary Sukunda|date=December 1, 2023|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Mitchell|last=Tierney}}</ref>
In December 2023, he returned to the Canadian Premier League and signed with Valour FC, ahead of the 2024 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/valour-fc-zachary-sukunda/|title=Sukunda Signs With Valour FC|date=December 1, 2023|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/valour-fc-sign-canadian-midfielder-zachary-sukunda|title=Valour FC sign Canadian midfielder Zachary Sukunda|date=December 1, 2023|work=Valour FC}}</ref>
In January 2025, Sukunda signed with Estonian club Kalev in the Meistriliiga.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/kalev-toi-oma-ridadesse-teisegi-kanada-mangumehe|title=Kalev tõi oma ridadesse teisegi Kanada mängumehe|trans-title=Kalev brings another Canadian player to its ranks|language=Estonian|first=Siim|date=January 14, 2025|last=Pulst|work=Soccernet}}</ref>
In January 2026, he signed with Eintracht Nordhorn in the German sixth-tier Landesliga Weser-Ems.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eintracht-nordhorn.de/die-ersten-neuzugaenge-fuer-diesen-winter/|title=Die ersten Neuzugänge für diesen Winter|trans-title=The first new signings for this winter|date=January 13, 2026|work=Eintracht Nordhorn|language=de}}</ref>
==Personal life== Sukunda is the son of Eli Sukunda, a fencer who competed at the 1976 and 1984 Summer Olympics.<ref name=tradition>{{cite web|url=https://en.cfmontreal.com/news/family-tradition-perseverance|title=A family tradition of perseverance|date=June 17, 2016|work=CF Montreal|first=Raphaël|last=Larocque-Cyr}}</ref>
== Career statistics == {{updated|23 October 2024.}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup{{efn|Includes Canadian Championship and Suomen Cup}} !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=3|FC Montreal |2015 |USL |23||0||colspan=2|–||colspan=2|–||23||0 |- |2016 |USL |21||1||colspan=2|–||colspan=2|–||21||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !44!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!44!!1 |- |Umeå FC |2017 |Swedish Division 1 |15||0||colspan=2|–||colspan=2|–||15||0 |- |Hume City |2018 |NPL Victoria |13||0||colspan=2|–||colspan=2|–||13||0 |- |Northcote City |2018 |NPL Victoria |6||0||colspan=2|–||colspan=2|–||6||0 |- |HFX Wanderers |2019 |Canadian Premier League |17||0||4||0||colspan=2|–||21||0 |- |Ekenäs IF |2020 |Ykkönen |19||1||5||0||colspan=2|–||24||1 |- |rowspan=3|PEPO Lappeenranta |2021 |Kakkonen |22||5||1||0||1||0||24||5 |- |2022 |Ykkönen |24||1||2||2||3||0||29||3 |- !colspan=2|Total !46!!6!!3!!2!!4!!0!!53!!8 |- |Gnistan |2023 |Ykkönen |26||1||3||0||3||1||32||2 |- |Valour FC |2024 |Canadian Premier League |13||0||1||0||colspan=2|–||14||0 |- |Tallinna Kalev |2025 |Meistriliiga |0||0||0||0||colspan=2|–||0||0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !199!!9!!16!!2!!7!!1!!222!!12 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Gnistan''' *Ykkönen runner-up: 2023
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerway|zachary-sukunda/400867}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sukunda, Zachary}} Category:1995 births Category:Soccer players from Ottawa Category:Franco-Ontarian people Category:Living people Category:Men's association football full-backs Category:Canadian men's soccer players Category:AJ Auxerre players Category:CF Montréal U23 players Category:FC Montreal players Category:Umeå FC players Category:Hume City FC players Category:Northcote City FC players Category:HFX Wanderers FC players Category:Ekenäs IF players Category:PEPO Lappeenranta players Category:IF Gnistan players Category:Valour FC players Category:Canadian Soccer League (1998–present) players Category:USL Championship players Category:Ettan Fotboll players Category:Victorian Premier League players Category:Canadian Premier League players Category:Kakkonen players Category:Ykkönen players Category:Canadian expatriate men's soccer players Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in France Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Sweden Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in Sweden Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Australia Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in Australia Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Finland Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in Finland Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen Category:JK Tallinna Kalev players Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in Estonia Category:Eintracht Nordhorn players