MLS Super Draft No1 pick Steve Zakuani has hailed his Generation Adidas contract as the reason he chose to play in Major League Soccer rather than with Preston North End in the English Championship. "I came here not just to play soccer, but for education, too, and as part of the Generation Adidas contract they guarantee me an education so that was probably the biggest weighing factor," he said.

Todd Durbin, Major League Soccer's executive vice president of player relations and competition, said: "With MLS often unable to keep hold of young talent the latest developments with contracts.

"A significant part of the Generation Adidas program is the educational component.

"We work with players, while they're professionals, to help them continue their education and get their degree. It's important to us, important to them and something we're really proud of."

Zakuani will start training with new MLS franchise Seattle Sounders FC next week.

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