1. Kurt Zouma got his first name from a 1989 martial arts film!
Kurt Happy Zouma’s name was no coincidence – it all stemmed from 1989 martial arts movie Kickboxer, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme!
Centred on the Van Damme’s character ‘Kurt Sloane’, who trains in the ancient kickboxing art of Muay Thai during the film, Zouma’s parents noted the name. His father said: “We’re going to call him Kurt, because he will be strong” – to which his mother replied: “He will be happy too, so we will call him Happy”!
Zouma himself said the description is “quite accurate”!
2. He is one of seven siblings
Kurt Zouma was born in Lyon to parents who immigrated from the Central African Republic at an early age. Looking to make ends meet, his father worked at Ikea in between driving him to training and matches, while his mother was a cleaner.
Zouma has five brothers and a little sister. Two of those brothers have also gone on to play professional football: Yoan Zouma is a defender who last played for Bolton Wanderers, for whom he made a professional debut in 2019, as well as Barrow and Altrincham.
Lionel Zouma, meanwhile, is a fellow centre-back who currently represents Vevey United in the Swiss sixth tier after previous spells in France (with Sochaux, where he once played against Kurt!) and Greece (with Asteras Tripolis).
3. He nearly chose a different sport!
Had events panned out differently, Kurt Zouma might never have been a footballer, having initially enjoyed basketball more as a young boy in Lyon!
Before joining his first football club as a nine-year-old, Zouma used to play basketball more often with his friends.
But after going along to a nearby football club with older brother Lionel, who was more passionate about the sport, Zouma soon realised he was better with his feet than with his hands! The two brothers still call one another before each game.
4. He became a defender after a growth spurt!
When Kurt Zouma’s footballing journey began as a nine-year-old at local Fifth Division side FC Valux-en-Velin, he initially started out as a forward.
It was only when his team came under pressure during games that his youth team manager would shift him to the back line, where the Frenchman could utilise his superior pace and strength.
A sudden growth spurt – Zouma himself estimates that it was 17cm in a single year – also played its part in ensuring the now-6’3 footballer became a defender.
5. He was always confident he would turn professional
While his family continued to make sacrifices to allow him to flourish as a young footballer, Kurt Zouma was always confident that one day he would reach the pinnacle of the game and sign a professional contract – a feat he duly achieved as a 16-year-old in April 2011.
In a 2018 interview, the Frenchman explained: “I made a promise when I was 12 or 13, ‘I will sign my first contract, don’t worry.’ That’s why I was so happy. I was always confident, I talked with my parents and it was just instinct.”
6. He used to play without a name on the back of his shirt
Kurt Zouma’s prodigious talent started to garner interest from clubs both domestic and abroad, but the teenager himself was determined to focus on his development in his native France.
That didn’t stop Saint-Étienne manager Christophe Galtier attempting to fend off any visiting scouts, however, as Zouma played made his professional debut in August 2011 without a name on the back of his shirt, earning him the nickname ‘ghost player’ amongst his schoolmates!
7. He started winning early!
In just his second season as a fully-fledged professional footballer, then-18-year-old Kurt Zouma played a pivotal role in Saint-Étienne’s first major trophy in over 30 years, playing the full 90 minutes of Les Verts’ 1-0 win over Rennes in the final of the Coupe de la Ligue and earning rave reviews for his typically dominant performance.
It was a winning habit which would continue to follow the centre-back throughout his career.
8. Kurt Zouma is a world champion!
Kurt Zouma has represented his country at all youth levels on his journey to becoming a senior France international.
In 2013, at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Turkey, the defender started five of Les Bleus’ seven games as France won the title, defeating a resilient Uruguay side 4-1 on penalties in the final.
After being out of the side in the first two games of the tournament, Zouma was recalled to the starting eleven and dominated from thereon out, keeping two clean sheets and scoring in the quarter-finals against Uzbekistan.
Many members of that side have since graduated into Didier Deschamps‘ senior squad, including the likes of Lucas Digne, Samuel Umtiti, Paul Pogba… and fellow new Hammer, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola!
9. He absolutely loves a goal – or 17!
For a supposed centre-back, Zouma doesn’t half love a statement goal or two – as strikes on his debut for Chelsea, and his full debut for the senior France side, proved!
The 26-year-old has, in fact, scored 17 times throughout his career – including four goals in his first ten Premier League matches last season! He finished the campaign with five strikes to his name.
