Calvin Zola

Calvin Zola-Makongo (born 31 December 1984), often known simply as Calvin Zola, is a Congolese former professional footballer who played as a forward. Born in Kinshasa, Zaire, he began his career as a youth player at Newcastle United. Zola went on to have spells at Tranmere Rovers, Crewe Alexandra, Burton Albion and Aberdeen. His last club was Stevenage, who released him in May 2015 due to injury setbacks.

Calvin Zola
Zola pictured in 2011
Personal information
Full name Calvin Zola-Makongo
Date of birth (1984-12-31) 31 December 1984
Place of birth Kinshasa, Zaire
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
2001–2003 Newcastle United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Newcastle United 0 (0)
2003–2004 → Oldham Athletic (loan) 25 (5)
2004–2008 Tranmere Rovers 96 (16)
2008–2011 Crewe Alexandra 67 (21)
2011 → Burton Albion (loan) 18 (3)
2011–2013 Burton Albion 67 (23)
2013–2014 Aberdeen 20 (3)
2014–2015 Stevenage 6 (0)
Total 299 (71)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Zola began his career Newcastle United, and he spent a loan spell at Oldham Athletic before moving to Tranmere Rovers, where problems were discovered with his visa and he was unable to work (i.e. play) until a solution was reached.[1] In May 2005 he was granted a full permit and returned in time for training for the 2005–06 season.

In June 2008, he signed with League One club Crewe Alexandra for a transfer fee of £200,000.[2] On 18 January 2011, he signed on loan to Burton Albion until the end of the season. In May 2011, Zola was released from his contract at Crewe Alexandra.[3] and agreed to join Burton on a permanent basis the following month.

On 18 June 2013, Zola signed a two-year deal with Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen.[4] He scored his first goal for Aberdeen on 14 September 2013, in a 3–0 win against Partick Thistle.[5] Zola had his contract cancelled by Aberdeen after the 2013–14 season, during which he had scored three goals.[6]

Zola joined Stevenage on 20 June 2014 following his release from Aberdeen.[7]

After an injury hit season, Zola was released by Stevenage on 20 May 2015, along with 12 other players.

Career statistics
As of 7 May 2014
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Newcastle United 2001–02[8] Premier League 0000000000
2002–03[9] Premier League 0000000000
2003–04[10] Premier League 0000000000
Total 0000000000
Oldham Athletic (loan) 2003–04[10] Second Division 25511002[lower-alpha 1]1287
Tranmere Rovers 2004–05[11] League One 15210211[lower-alpha 1]1194
2005–06[12] League One 22400001[lower-alpha 1]0234
2006–07[13] League One 295101000315
2007–08[14] League One 305401000355
Total 961660412110818
Crewe Alexandra 2008–09[15] League One 27540102[lower-alpha 1]0345
2009–10[16] League Two 341511111[lower-alpha 1]13718
2010–11[17] League Two 6100101[lower-alpha 1]081
Total 67215131417924
Burton Albion (loan) 2010–11[17] League Two 183110000194
Burton Albion 2011–12[18] League Two 361211111[lower-alpha 1]03914
2012–13[19] League Two 311143102[lower-alpha 2]23816
Total 85266521329634
Aberdeen 2013–14[20] Scottish Premiership 193103000233
Career total 2927119712311533486
  1. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. Appearance(s) in Football League Two play-offs

References
  1. Echo, Liverpool (22 April 2005). "We're backing Calvin in campaign to cut red tape". Liverpool Echo.
  2. "Crewe bring in Zola from Tranmere". BBC Sport. 27 June 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  3. "Crewe Alexandra Announce Retain List". crewealex.net. 12 May 2011. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  4. "Dons capture striker Calvin Zola". afc.co.uk. 18 June 2013. Archived from the original on 22 June 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  5. "Partick Thistle 0–3 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  6. "Calvin Zola leaves Aberdeen after having contract cancelled". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  7. "Stevenage sign Calvin Zola and Dean Wells". BBC Sport. 20 June 2014. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  8. "Games played by Calvin Zola in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  9. "Games played by Calvin Zola in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  10. "Games played by Calvin Zola in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  11. "Games played by Calvin Zola in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  12. "Games played by Calvin Zola in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  13. "Games played by Calvin Zola in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  14. "Games played by Calvin Zola in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  15. "Games played by Calvin Zola in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  16. "Games played by Calvin Zola in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  17. "Games played by Calvin Zola in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  18. "Games played by Calvin Zola in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  19. "Games played by Calvin Zola in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  20. "Games played by Calvin Zola in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
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