Zak Lovelace

Zak Lovelace
Personal information
Full name Zakariya Lovelace
Date of birth (2006-01-23) 23 January 2006 (age 18)
Place of birth London, England
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Rangers
Number 50
Youth career
Glebe
2019–2021 Millwall
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2022 Millwall 4 (0)
2022– Rangers 3 (0)
International career‡
2023 England U17 7 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:30, 8 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14:50, 30 May 2023 (UTC)

Zakariya Lovelace (born 23 January 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Scottish Premiership club Rangers. Born in England, Lovelace is eligible to play for Jamaica through family heritage.

Club career

In 2019, Lovelace joined Millwall from Glebe after scoring 43 goals in 15 appearances en route to Glebe's Kent Youth League victory.[1] On 29 December 2021, after scoring 21 goals in 19 appearances throughout Millwall's youth teams, Lovelace made his debut as a late substitute in Millwall's 1–0 win over Coventry City, becoming Millwall's second youngest ever player in the process.[2]

On 4 July 2022, Lovelace signed for Scottish club Rangers, initially linking up with the club's Academy.[3][4] He was sent off for simulation in the 2023 Scottish Youth Cup Final against Celtic, which Rangers lost 6-5.[5]

Lovelace made his first team debut for Rangers in the League Cup against Scottish League One team Queen of the South on 30 August 2022.[6] He made his first Scottish Premiership appearance for the club against Old Firm rivals Celtic on 13 May 2023.[7] He made his first start for Rangers against St Mirren on 8 October 2023. On 24th October 2024 Lovelace made his first European appearance coming on as a substitute in a UEFA Europa League 4-0 victory over FCSB.[8]

International career

On 22 March 2023, Lovelace made his England U17 debut during a 3–1 win over Denmark in Katwijk as part of 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification.[9]

On 17 May 2023, Lovelace was named in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[10] He scored his only goal of the tournament against Switzerland as England finished fifth.[11]

Career statistics

As of match played 24 October 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Millwall 2021–22 EFL Championship 4 0 0 0 0 0 — — 4 0
Total 4 0 0 0 0 0 — — 4 0
Rangers B 2022–23 — — — — 3[a] 1 3 1
2023–24 — — — — 3[a] 1 3 1
2024–25 — — — — 2[a] 0 2 0
Total — — — — 8 2 8 2
Rangers 2022–23[12] Scottish Premiership 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 — 2 0
2023–24[13] Scottish Premiership 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
2024–25[14] Scottish Premiership 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 — 1 0
Total 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 — 5 0
Career total 7 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 8 2 17 2
  1. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in Scottish Challenge Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

References

  1. ^ "Glebe is a shining example of the modern day urban London club, the young players are told from day one that if they are good enough, the skies the limit at this football club, says chairman Rocky McMillan". Kentish Football. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  2. ^ Cawley, Richard (31 December 2021). "Millwall boss underlines desire to keep top young stars – as 15-year-old Zak Lovelace gets taste of the Championship big time". South London Press. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Zak Lovelace Joins Rangers Academy". Rangers F.C. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  4. ^ "Lovelace leaves Millwall for Rangers". BBC Sport. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  5. ^ Lindsay, Clive (3 May 2023). "Rangers 5-6 Celtic (aet): Holders lose Scottish Youth Cup final after thriller". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Rangers 3-1 Queen of the South". BBC Sport. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  7. ^ McPheat, Nick (13 May 2023). "Rangers 3-0 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  8. ^ McPheat, Nick (24 October 2024). "Rangers 4-0 FCSB". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  9. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (22 March 2023). "Report: England MU17s 3-1 Denmark". England Football. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  10. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (17 May 2023). "England MU17s squad named for EURO Finals". England Football. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  11. ^ Swoffer, Chris (30 May 2023). "England MU17s qualify for the U-17 World Cup with enthralling 4-2 victory over Switzerland". England Football. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  12. ^ "Games played by Zak Lovelace in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Games played by Zak Lovelace in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Games played by Zak Lovelace in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 October 2024.


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