Zan’s global outlook

SHELDAN KEAY

ACCRINGTON Stanley forward Offrande Zanzala says the experiences he learned from growing up in different locations has helped to make him the footballer he is today.

Zanzala joined the Reds last week when he arrived on loan from Championship side Derby County until the end of the season, and he came off the bench against Cheltenham on Saturday.

The 21-year-old was born in the Republic of the Congo before emigrating to Austria aged three and then moving to England when he was eight, and he says that his background is what led to him becoming a professional footballer.

“I’ve had a different background to a lot of people, but that has made me into the player that I am today, in terms of my aggression, my desire to be the best that I possibly can and to do the best for my team, for myself and for my family,” he told the club’s official website.

“I’m grateful to be given this opportunity and I’m looking to grab it with both hands, score lots of goals, win football matches and hopefully help the team get promoted. This is a massive chance for me, it’s a new challenge and I’m looking forward show everybody here what I can do.

“There’s a huge difference from Under 23s football to coming and playing mens football. The speed of the game is different, you have to adapt and change physically and you have to become a man and lead a responsible lifestyle.”

“I’m a player with lots of aggression, I’m strong, direct, powerful, I like to get on the ball and dribble, but most importantly I’m a goalscorer, I’ve always been a goalscorer and that’s what I will bring to Accrington.”