FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution announced today that the club has signed Moroccan forward Monsef Zerka. The late-season addition from Orleans, France, will fill the team’s sixth international player spot out of a possible eight. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not released.
Zerka will be officially added to the Revolution’s roster pending P1 Visa approval.
“We are looking forward to Monsef’s arrival,” Michael Burns, Revolution Vice President of Player Personnel said. “He is an experienced player who will provide us with another attacking option.”
The 29-year-old forward joins the Revolution from Iraklis FC, recently relegated to the Football League 2 of Greece from the top-level Greek Superleague. Prior to Iraklis, Zerka spent a decade playing in France, first as a member of AS Nancy in France from 2001 to 2009, and later with FC Nantes from 2009 to early 2011.
During his time with AS Nancy, Zerka made a total of 173 appearances and netted 17 goals. The French side has been competing in Ligue 1 since the 2005-06 season, after having been promoted from Ligue 2. Zerka appeared in 85 Ligue 1 matches, scoring 13 goals in the four years he spent with the club at the highest level of French football.
Upon joining FC Nantes of Ligue 2, Zerka made an immediate impact by scoring in both his debut and second matches with the club. He featured in 35 games, and recorded two goals during his two seasons with the club.
Zerka was eligible to play for either the French or Moroccan national teams because of his dual citizenship and chose to represent Morocco, with whom he has earned 12 caps and scored three goals. He participated in the 2004 Summer Olympics, making the starting XI in two of Morocco’s three group stage matches. Zerka was also called up to the national squad for the 2008 African Cup of Nations, and netted an international goal for the Atlas Lions in a convincing 5-1 win over Namibia.
The Revolution (4-11-10, 21 pts.) returns to action on Saturday, August 20, when the team hosts the New York Red Bulls at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., and the game will be televised live on Comcast SportsNet and carried on the radio at 98.5 The Sports Hub.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution (MLS) – Signed F Monsef Zerka
MONSEF ZERKA
Pronunciation: MON-sef ZUR-kah Position: Forward
Height: 5-9
Weight: 185
D.O.B.: August 30, 1981 (Orleans, France)
Hometown: Orleans, France
Previous Club: Iraklis FC (GRE)
Nationality: Moroccan, French
Status: International
How acquired: Signed with the Revolution as an international on August 18, 2011
