HAMILTON – Canadian forward Marcel Zajac is forgoing his final year of eligibility at the University of Akron to sign a multi-year contract with Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League.

Zajac is no stranger to Bobby Smyrniotis, technical director and head coach of the Hamilton CPL entry. The 20-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., played his youth soccer for Smyrniotis’s Sigma FC.

"Marcel was a standout attacking player and leader at the University of Akron," Smyrniotis said in a statement. "Coming from one of the top soccer programs in the U.S.A., his accolades garnered the attention of many teams across North America and we’re excited he’ll be forgoing his final year of NCAA eligibility to join our club in Hamilton."

Zajac had 11 goals and eight assists in 19 appearances as a junior, helping Akron to the NCAA tournament final before losing to Maryland.

The 5-10, 155-pounder had 18 goals and nine assists in 54 appearances at Akron from 2016 to 2018. Prior to his time with the Zips, Zajac was called into camp by both the Canadian under-17 and under-18 teams.

Forge FC will kick off the inaugural CPL season in April.