(CNN) Professional football player Gabriel Zakuani has offered his heartfelt thanks to the British public after his missing son was found "safe and well" following a social media post that was shared over 10,000 times.

The Gillingham FC defender, who plays in English football's third tier, had posted a social message media appealing for help when his 11-year-old son went missing on Wednesday after failing to return from his London-based school.

As well as Zakuani's social media plea going viral, his former clubs and the wider football community joined the appeal.

"Seriously can't thank you all enough!" tweeted Zakuani , who made 29 appearances for Democratic Republic of Congo before retiring in 2018.

"I'm relieved he's been found in London. Seriously hope I never go through that again! Once again, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart I'm so grateful."

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