Mundo Deportivo: Former Pizza Delivery Worker Edahori Now Competes in La Liga Alongside Aubameyang

Deportivo La Coruña's surprises this season are not limited to Aubameyang. The team's forward Zakaria Edahori scored against Villarreal, helping the side temporarily level the match at 2-2. The Dutch striker has an inspiring grassroots comeback story: he once worked part-time delivering pizzas and taking odd jobs to maintain his football dream, and now he has established himself in La Liga and reached Europe's top stage, completing a remarkable transformation from an unknown player.

In the match against Villarreal, Aubameyang provided an excellent assist, and Edahori calmly converted his chance inside the penalty area. After scoring, he knelt down to kiss the pitch and celebrated with devotion, a moment that carried years of persistence and hardship. Few could have imagined that the professional player now competing in La Liga and scoring against major clubs was struggling to make a living and protect his football dream just a few years ago.

Edahori's football journey was never surrounded by prestige. He did not come through a famous European academy system and was rejected by Feyenoord when he was young, later moving between amateur clubs. To continue playing, he competed for amateur side Koninklijke HFC, where the dressing room walls were moldy and teammates lacked discipline, while also working part-time as a pizza delivery worker and kitchen assistant to fund his football dream.

To attend training sessions and matches with his amateur team, he had to spend seven hours every day traveling by train and also experienced periods when he was left out of the squad and had no games to play. After enduring a long period of waiting, he joined Dutch second-tier club Telstar, gradually establishing himself and fulfilling his potential. One and a half years ago, Deportivo La Coruña offered him an opportunity, and he viewed the transfer as a chance to make his dream come true. At the time, clubs from leagues in Belgium, Kazakhstan, South Korea and other countries had shown interest in him, but he firmly chose to join Deportivo La Coruña.

After joining Deportivo La Coruña, Edahori quickly earned the affection of the fans. He is not a traditional-style center forward, but he has strong finishing ability and an excellent impact rate as a substitute, often stepping up for the team in difficult moments. In his debut at the Riazor Stadium, he scored with a long-range shot against Almería and ran passionately toward the stands to celebrate with supporters.

His career has been full of twists and stories. He once nearly suffered a serious injury after accidentally falling from seaside rocks, but recovered remarkably quickly. This frightening experience also earned him the nickname “O Percebeiro.” He remained optimistic, using humor to deal with the incident and accepting the special label. Last season, he was not a regular starter but was the team's most effective substitute scorer, helping the club achieve promotion and fulfill his dream of reaching La Liga.

During this summer's transfer window, Edahori received offers from several clubs thanks to his impressive performances. Sporting CP, clubs from Egypt and Mexico's Tigres were among those interested in signing him, but all were rejected by the player himself. He chose to stay with the team and hold on to his hard-earned La Liga opportunity.

This season, the team's major signing Aubameyang has increased competition in attack, but Edahori has remained steady and made the most of every opportunity he receives. His crucial goal against Villarreal once again demonstrated the value of this grassroots comeback forward. From a worker delivering pizzas to a La Liga goalscorer, Edahori has rewritten his life through persistence.