Elie_El-Zakhem
Elie El-Zakhem
Lebanon international rugby league footballer
Elie El-Zakhem is a Lebanon international rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Elie El-Zakhem | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1998-04-17) 17 April 1998 (age 26) Merrylands, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 101 kg (15 st 13 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row, Lock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 25 February 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He has previously played for the Canterbury Bulldogs, the Parramatta Eels, the Sydney Roosters and the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup.
North Sydney Bears
On 24 September 2023, El-Zakhem played for North Sydney in their 2023 NSW Cup grand final loss against South Sydney.[3]
Castleford Tigers
On 29 September 2023, the Castleford Tigers announced the signing of El-Zakhem on a two-year deal from the 2024 Super League season.[4][5] He would be joining his Lebanon teammate Charbel Tasipale at the Tigers upon recommendation from former Castleford player Jordan Rankin.[6]
El-Zakhem was assigned squad number 11 ahead of the 2024 season.[7] He made his Super League debut for Castleford in round 1 against the Wigan Warriors.[8]
El-Zakhem made his international debut for Lebanon in their 56-14 loss to Fiji in the 2019 Pacific Test.[9]
In September 2022, El-Zakhem was named in the Lebanon squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[10] He featured in every game for the Cedars, making 4 appearances and scoring 2 tries.[2]
- "Taaffe's statement as Souths end 40-year drought; veteran's captain's knock: Reserves Wrap". www.foxsports.com.au. 25 September 2023.
- "El-Zakhem is a Tiger". Castleford Tigers. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- "Castleford Tigers: Putt and El-Zakhem join, new contract for Joe Westerman". BBC Sport. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- Smith, Peter (29 September 2023). "Ex-player helps out as Castleford Tigers sign Lebanon World Cup star". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- Darbyshire, Drew (20 January 2024). "Castleford Tigers 2024 squad numbers: 11 new signings receive their jerseys, with 31 shirts handed out". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- Freeman, Jay (17 February 2024). "Super League: Castleford Tigers 4-32 Wigan Warriors - Reigning champions begin with hard-earned win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- "Fiji vs Lebanon". Wide World of Sports. 22 June 2019.
- Walter, Brad (29 September 2023). "Moses named in Lebanon World Cup squad but Cheika sweating on Kangaroos call". NRL.com. Retrieved 22 October 2023.