Defender Zakuani insists there was no '˜club v country row' as he leaves Cobblers

Gaby Zakuani will leave the Cobblers this summer after the player and club failed to agree terms over a new contract.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th May 2017, 10:01 BST
Updated 16th May 2017, 14:17 BST
FINAL APPEARANCE - Gaby Zakuani leaves the Sixfields pitch after damaging his hamstring in the win over Charlton on March 4FINAL APPEARANCE - Gaby Zakuani leaves the Sixfields pitch after damaging his hamstring in the win over Charlton on March 4
FINAL APPEARANCE - Gaby Zakuani leaves the Sixfields pitch after damaging his hamstring in the win over Charlton on March 4

The central defender was offered a deal at the end of the season, with the Cobblers taking into account the player will miss a chunk of next season due to international commitments.

Zakuani is the captain of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who have World Cup qualifiers against Tunisia on August 27 and September 1.

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They are due to play further World Cup qualifiers against Libya (Oct 10), Guinea (November 5) and an Africa Cup of Nations qualifer against Liberia on March 26, 2018

The 30-year-old was away on international duty three times last season, and suffered a hamstring injury at the Cup of Nations in January.

Town boss Justin Edinburgh wanted to keep the former Peterborugh United man, and said last week: “We are ongoing with Gaby, in terms of length (of contract) and finances.

“The big thing for me is Gaby’s international situation, and we are trying to come to a conclusion and an agreement on that.

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“He has two World Cup qualifiers coming up, and then there are some later in the season and we are just trying to get the balance right.”

Despite lengthy talks, the club and Zakuania have failed to agree terms and he will now look for a new club when his Sixfields contract expires in June.

“We have been speaking to Gaby and his agent to try and get comfortable with his level of international commitments. Unfortunately we are unable to do that.” said Justin Edinburgh.

“Gaby is a top professional, we wish him all the very best for his future career and thank him for his efforts at Sixfields.”

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Zakuani took to Twitter to make it clear that the failure to agree terms on a new deal was nothing to do with a ‘club v country’ row.

“Thank you @ntfc players, staff & fans,” wrote Zakuani.

“Gutted we didn’t find common ground but that’s football, once again thank you #ntfc.

“P.S it wasn’t a club v country row, far from it. Good luck Cobblers.”

Zakuani made 24 starts and one substitute appearance for the Cobblers, scoring two goals, although he played just twice in 2017 due to injury.

Related topics:Cobblers