![]() Zahra playing for Melbourne Heart in 2011
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Personal information | |||
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Full name | Adrian Zahra | ||
Date of birth | 24 September 1990 | ||
Place of birth | Melbourne, Australia | ||
Height | 1.69 m (5 ft 6 1⁄2 in) | ||
Playing position | Midfield, Winger | ||
Club information | |||
Current team
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Heidelberg United FC | ||
Number | 9 | ||
Youth career | |||
Fawkner Blues | |||
North City Lions | |||
Melbourne Knights | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2007–2010 | Melbourne Knights | 45 | (2) |
2009 | → Western Suburbs (loan) | (4) | |
2010–2012 | Melbourne Heart | 19 | (2) |
2012–2014 | Perth Glory | 18 | (3) |
2014 | Valletta | 4 | (2) |
2015 | Melbourne Knights | 11 | (0) |
2015– 2016 | Port Melbourne | 33 | (2) |
2016– | Heidelberg United | 1 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 6 March 2017. |
Adrian Zahra (born 24 September 1990) is an Australian football (soccer) player who plays for NPL Victoria side Heidelberg United.
Zahra started his career being coached by Billy Vojtek in the youth system of Melbourne Knights before progressing to the senior side for the 2007/08 season. He played nearly every game for the Knights in 2008 off the bench, but was soon loaned out to Western Suburbs SC in 2009 in the league below, the Victorian State League Division 1. In 2010, Zahra returned to the Knights and capped off a sensational year with the club by receiving the 2010 Victorian Premier League U21 Player of the Year Award.
While still with Melbourne Knights, Zahra made a trial appearance for new A-League side Melbourne Heart, in an exhibition match against Premier League team Everton on 14 July 2010, which Heart lost 2-0. Melbourne Heart went on to sign Zahra midway through their inaugural 2010-11 A-League season on a short-term contract upon the completion of the 2010 Victorian Premier League season. His contract was originally four weeks in length. He made his début for the Heart in October 2010, in the first ever Melbourne derby. After an extended trial period, in which he scored two goals for Heart, he was signed by the club in December for an extra two years, his contract starting at the beginning of the 2011–12 season.
His season was cut short after an infamous incident during the third Melbourne derby on 22 January 2011. He was tackled by Melbourne Victory's Kevin Muscat late in the game, which made worldwide headlines. As a result, Zahra sustained a serious knee injury in his right leg. Muscat received a red card for the tackle and was subsequently handed an 8-match ban. Zahra was substituted out of the match, being unable to continue playing. He missed the remainder of the season due to the injury. Surgery was required on his knee. Zahra eventually made a full recovery. It is unclear why Heart did not honour his two year contract after his injury.