AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron sophomore Steve Zakuani, one of three finalists for the prestigious Hermann Trophy award, has signed a contract with Generation adidas and will forgo his final two years of eligibility to enter the 2009 Major League Soccer Super Draft.

Zakuani, an All-American striker, led the nation in scoring this past season with 20 goals and 47 points in 23 games and is being projected as the No. 1 overall pick of the draft by a number of publications, including MLSDraft.net. He will be the first UA underclassman to leave school early to pursue a professional career in any sport.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Akron and I’m glad to be leaving with so many special memories,” Zakuani said. “I was made to feel welcome from day one by my coaches, teammates, the athletics staff and especially the fans. They all made my time here a very special one and contributed to making me the player and person I am today.

“Those are the reasons that made the decision to leave a truly difficult one. However, my dream has always been to play professional soccer and so when this great opportunity came knocking on my door, it was almost impossible for me to turn it down. I feel that the time is right for me to make the natural progression to the next level and I am excited about my future.”

Zakuani will be just the third Akron men’s soccer player ever taken in the MLS Super Draft following Sinisa Ubiparipovic in 2007 (New York Red Bulls, third round) and Cameron Knowles in 2005 (Real Salt Lake, fourth round).

“I also specifically want to thank the AK Rowdies for the support they have given me during my time at Akron,” Zakuani added. “I always looked forward to playing at Lee Jackson Field because having them with us felt like having an extra player on the field.”

Zakuani, the Mid-American Conference Newcomer of the Year and College Soccer News Freshman All-American in 2007, blossomed into one of the nation’s most dangerous players in 2008 while leading the Zips (17-2-4) to the program’s highest seed ever (No. 5) and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

The native of London, England has already earned national player of the year awards from Soccer America and Top Drawer Soccer as well as MAC Player of the Year this season and has been invited to the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis, Mo., for the announcement of the winner of the Hermann Trophy Award Friday.

Were he to win, Zakuani, who was the only underclassman named to the 48-player watch list this season, would be just the third sophomore ever to do so. He is the first Akron player to be named a finalist for the Hermann Trophy.

“"This is an exciting day for Steve and the entire Akron soccer family,” said UA head coach Caleb Porter, who recently signed a new five-year contract to remain at Akron. “Although his presence will be greatly missed, this was an opportunity for him to fulfill a lifelong dream and he has our blessing to make the jump to Major League Soccer.

“Steve will be remembered as one of the greatest to wear an Akron uniform and we appreciate his contributions and commitment to the program. Steve has a bright future ahead of him and I look forward to watching his game continue to blossom as he takes the next step in his soccer career."

Zakuani recorded at least one goal in five straight games from Sept. 19 to Oct. 8 and also notched the first two hat tricks of his young career in 2008. Moreover, he was at his best with the game on the line, netting seven game-winning goals this fall. None were as big however as the decisive score in double overtime to lift the Zips past Northern Illinois in the MAC Tournament championship game on Nov. 16.

Zakuani was named MAC Player of the Week six times this season to set a league record.

Generation adidas is a joint venture between Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer aimed at raising the level of young soccer talent in the United States. The program, which was called Project-40 until 2005, encourages early entry (without college graduation) of American players into the MLS.

Generation adidas players do not count against the MLS senior roster. Entering the program automatically classifies a player as a professional and thus, disqualifies them from playing college soccer. As a result, Generation adidas players are also guaranteed scholarships to continue their college education should their professional career not pan out.

The Seattle Sounders own the rights to the No. 1 pick in the 2009 MLS Super Draft, which will be held on Jan. 15 in St. Louis, Mo.