Zakaria Labyad’s biography, fact, career, awards, net worth and life story

Zakaria Labyad (Arabic: زكريا لبيض‎‎; born 9 March 1993 in Utrecht) is a Dutch-born Moroccan footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for FC Utrecht in the Eredivise.

The player has previously represented the Netherlands U17 team at international level before switching his allegiance to Morocco and playing for them at the Under-23 level.

Club career

PSV

Having come through the youth program, in January 2009, Labyad extended his contract with PSV until the summer of 2012. Before joining PSV, Labyad played for USV Elinkwijk. Labyad made his debut in the senior team on 25 February 2010 in a UEFA Europa League home match against Hamburger SV, coming on as a substitute for Otman Bakkal in the 71st minute. Three days later, Labyad also made his debut in the Eredivisie, coming on as a substitute for Balázs Dzsudzsák in a match against RKC Waalwijk. On 18 April 2010, Labyad made his first appearance in the starting line-up in a home match against FC Groningen. Labyad’s selection in the starting line-up paid immediate dividends, with him scoring two goals in the 3–1 victory. In the last match of the 2009–10 season, Labyad was again in the starting lineup in a 1–1 draw against AZ Alkmaar. Labyad more or less became a regular in the starting 11 in the 2011-12 season and experienced a great deal of success. He played in 32 matches and scored 6 goals. He scored a goal in the KNVB Beker semi final against SC Heerenveen and followingly won the cup with PSV.

Sporting CP

On 3 April 2012, Sporting CP’s president revealed that Labyad will join the Portuguese team for the 2012/2013 season, on a free transfer, signing a 5-year deal contract. However, on 23 May, PSV’s technical director Marcel Brands told Dutch media that Labyad’s contract was extended for another year since Labyad failed to formally terminate his contract before the legal deadline of 15 May.

On 2 July 2012, he officially joined Sporting. In his first season, he made 20 appearances for the club in which he scored twice.

Vitesse (loan)

In January 2014, after not playing a single match for Sporting during the first half of the season, Labyad was sent on loan to Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem until the summer of 2015.

Return to Sporting CP

Labyad will return to Sporting CP for the 2015-16 Primeira Liga season to work with new Sporting CP manager Jorge Jesus who insisted upon Labyad’s return as part of him agreeing to accept the Sporting CP job offer. Indeed, Labyad is viewed as a “pilar” for the new Sporting CP by Jorge Jesus.

Fulham (loan)

On 1 February 2016, Labyad moved on loan to Fulham until the end of the 2015–16 season.

On 31 August 2016, Sporting CP announced that both parties have agreed to terminate the contract.

FC Utrecht

On 5 January 2017, Labyad signed for Eredivise side FC Utrecht until 2019.

Personal life

Labyad has said that he looks up to former PSV team-mate Ibrahim Afellay, stating “Ibrahim is my friend. I have a lot of respect for him, not only because he plays in the same position as me, but also because as a person, he’s someone I look up to.” During his time at PSV, Labyad lived in Utrecht with his family, so he had to commute by train every day to Eindhoven. He followed an education in “Sport & Activity” at the ROC Eindhoven.

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