Steve Zakuani is set to declare for the 2009 MLS draft. University of Akron sophomore forward Zakuani has signed a contract with Generation adidas and will forgo his final two years of eligibility to enter the 2009 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, a school source confirmed to the Beacon Journal.

Many MLS experts predict Zakuani to go as the No1 pick.

The Seattle Sounders own the rights to the No. 1 pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, which is Jan. 15 in St. Louis.