Monsef Zerka
Monsef Zerka is a former professional footballer. He originally played as a striker, but throughout his career he has also played as a fullback and as a midfielder. Born in France, he represented Morocco at international level.
Club career
Nancy
Zerka was born in Orléans. After playing for US Orléans as a youngster, Zerka was signed by Nancy on the recommendation of his coach Jacques Quéré. He completed the final years of his apprenticeship at Nancy before making his debut in 2001. He debuted in a 4–0 home win against Caen, coming in as a late substitute in the 83rd minute.Before finally signing professional forms with Nancy in August 2002, Zerka had made his debut for the Morocco national team.
After playing in various positions over the years, Zerka proved effective in a forward role in Nancy's first season back in the top flight, scoring 6 goals in 24 appearances and continued in this position in 2006–07. He left AS Nancy in the summer of 2009, after playing 173 league matches for the club and scoring 17 goals. In Ligue 1, he featured in 85 matches and scored 13 goals.
Zerka will be remember by AS Nancy supporters for scoring the first goal of Nancy in the 2006 [Coupe de la Ligue Final|Final of the 2006 Coupe de la Ligue]. It was the first major trophy won by the club since the 1978 [Coupe de France Final|1978 French Cup].
Nantes
On 31 August 2010, Zerka signed for Ligue 2 outfit FC Nantes. Zerka debuted for his new in a 2–1 home win against Racing Strasbourg. He also scored his first goal for Nantes in his debut. It was the 1–1 equalizer, scored in the 22nd minute of the match after an assist by Jean-Claude Darcheville. He scored his second, and last, league goal for Nantes in the next match against SC Bastia. It was scored in the 7th minute of the match and it was the opening goal, in a match that ended as a 1–1 draw. It was scored after an assist by Djamel Abdoun. In the next season Zerka remained goalless for Nantes in the league. He scored his only goal that season, in a French Cup 4–2 away defeat by US Boulogne. On 7 January 2011, Nantes and Zerka mutually agreed to part ways. During his spell at Nantes Zerka featured in 35 Ligue 2 games, scoring 2 goals.Iraklis
On 14 January 2011, Zerka signed a contract with Super League Greece club Iraklis until the summer of 2012. He debuted for Iraklis on 23 January 2011, as he was in the starting line-up in a 3–0 away defeat by AO Kavala.New England Revolution
Zerka left Iraklis on a mutual agreement after their relegation from the Greek top flight, and he subsequently signed with Major League Soccer club New England Revolution on 18 August 2011. Zerka became one of the few bright spots in the Revolution's dismal 2011 campaign. He made his Revolution debut, and scored his first Revolution goal, on 7 September 2011 in a 4-4 draw with the Philadelphia Union. He made his home debut 3 days later in a home win over FC Dallas. He scored his second and final goal for the Revolution in the final match of the Revolution season, a 2-2 draw at Toronto FC.The Revolution declined Zerka's contract on 30 November 2011. In seven matches Zerka concluded his Revolution career with two goals and an assist.