Name: Zack Elbouzedi
Position: Winger
Born: 5 April 1998 Dublin, Ireland
Former Club: Waterford
Fee: Undisclosed
Contract Expires: Unknown (classed as ‘long term’ when he signed)
Lincoln Appearances:
2019/20: Appearances 1 (4) Goals 0
2020/21: Appearance 3 (2) Goals 2
Achievements
EFL Trophy Player of the Round: Round 2 2021
EFL Trophy Player of the Round: Round 3 2021
Zack Elbouzedi holds the honour of being the first player signed by Michael Appleton, with a deal announced in December 2019, ahead of him joining from Waterford once the transfer window opened in January.
The pacey winger made his Imps debut as a 79th-minute substitute against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, coming on for Jake Hesketh as we went down by three goals to one. He replaced Hesketh again a week later against Shrewsbury, this time in the 44th minute as we drew 1-1. He made his only appearance at Sincil Bank in the 19/20 season as we beat Bolton 5-1, and was handed his first start in the humbling 2-1 defeat against Southend, during which he was withdrawn at half time.
He didn’t appear again after February 1st, and after picking up an injury whilst on international duty, he struggled to impose himself in 20/21 too. He made just two outings before December, starting the 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe and coming on as we beat Forest Green 6-2. He kicked into life in the EFL Trophy Second Round tie with Shrewsbury, scoring one and setting up two as we routed Salop 4-1. That earned him the ‘Player of the Round’ accolade’, but just 15 minutes of league football followed, against Northampton (1 minute) and Burton Albion (14 minutes). Despite that, he was back in the side for the visit of Accrington Stanley in the next round of the EFL Trophy, where he again scored and laid one on in another outstanding performance. He won the Player of the Round once again, before joining Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.
Following the completion of his loan spell, he returned to Sincil Bank, but it was revealed in late June 2021 that he had been told he was free to find another club.
He was a regular for Ireland’s Under 21 side, something which caused him to miss the EFL Trophy match with Manchester City Under 21s as he started their games against Iceland and Luxembourg alongside fellow Imp Anthony Scully.
Zack started out as a youth at West Brom, appearing for their Under 23 side twice in the EFL Trophy. On completion of his contract, he moved to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Championship but joined Elgin City of League Two on loan to regain fitness, making his debut against Clyde in December 2018. He appeared once more for Clyde before returning to Caley, making his debut for them in March 2018.
He struggled to impose himself on the first team setup due to injuries and left Caley in August 2018 with just five substitute outings to his name. He returned to his native Ireland, signing for League of Ireland Premier Division side Waterford. He settled quickly, making 29 appearances and scoring six goals as they finished sixth in the table. That form brought him to the attention of Michael Appleton, who quickly snatched him up for the Imps.
These profiles will evolve into a full set of squad profiles which can be found here. When a player arrives at Sincil Bank, or departs the club, we will update their profiles and move them to our former player’s pages. We will also update any major absences, injuries or events as they happen on the player’s page.
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