Electric City Football Club Signs Two Professional Footballers Marking The Clubs Inaugural Signings

Electric City Football Club (ECFC) has confirmed the signing of professional footballers Sona Makulova and Zach Ellis-Hayden as the club’s inaugural signings.

Photo courtesy of Electric City Football Club.

Both players have had success in Canada and are both coming off successful professional international seasons in Italy and the United States respectively.

The first player officially joining the ECFC Men’s team, Zach Ellis-Hayden (29), is an experienced Kitchener-born defender who has spent the last 6 seasons playing professionally in the USL Championship. Ellis-Hayden is a very attacking-minded right back with great pace and can create opportunities for his team through his crossing ability.

For the past two seasons Ellis-Hayden has been a regular starter for OKC Energy and in 2021, no Canadian player in the USL Championship (one division below MLS) performed better analytically than Ellis-Hayden, according to FotMob data.

“Zach is a player we have been following closely over the past few years as we believe he is one of the most skilled and dynamic Canadian footballers playing in the USL and anticipate that he will be a fan favorite,” said ECFC President Rob Jenkins of the Club’s first signing, “We are excited to add a player of his experience, quality, and character to the team and will be looking for him to play a large role in what we are building in Peterborough both on and off the pitch for years to come.”

Ellis-Hayden got his professional start when he was signed by MLS side Orlando City SC in 2016 after a standout career at NCAA Division 1 school Cleveland State University where he played 58 games and in his final year was named to the All-Horizon League Second Team and NSCAA Division I Men's All-Great Lakes Region Third Team. He played for Orlando City B for two seasons where he had 45 appearances.

Ellis-Hayden then signed with ambitious USL Championship expansion side Fresno FC, who were also the reserve team for the Vancouver Whitecaps and made another 50 appearances over two seasons before signing with OKC.

“(Fans) can expect to see consistent performances which is important as a defender. For me, giving your most every day in training and games goes a long way, so for me effort is number one.”

On the Women’s side ECFC has added a player in Sona Makulova (25) who has excelled at every level she has competed in including Canada, Italy and the Czech Republic. Makulova was born in the Czech Republic and played competitively there while growing up. She moved to Canada at the age of 12 with her family and settled in Scarborough. She has continued to play the game in Canada and excelled during her time playing at Seneca College and in League1 Ontario before moving to the professional game in Italy with Ternana Calcio in 2021.

“I am thrilled to have Sona join our team here at Electric City FC. She is someone that I have had to coach against during her time in League1 Ontario and at the Collegiate level. She is a player that can take over a match and win a game for you,” ECFC Women’s First Team Coach Randy Ribeiro said. “Once I heard Sona was interested in returning to Canada after her playing stint overseas, I knew she was a player that I wanted to bring into our program. She will be a player the fans will enjoy watching every week and I am excited to have her join Electric City FC this summer.”

Makulova was a two-time Seneca Sting Athlete of the Year and helped the women’s varsity team capture the silver medal during the Ontario Colleges Athletics Association (OCAA) championship during the 2019-20 season. She was also named the 2018-19 OCAA Women’s Soccer Rookie of the Year and 2019-20 OCAA Women’s Soccer East Player of the Year, as well as a 2019-20 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association All-Canadian. Makulova also played three standout seasons in League1 Ontario, two with the Sanjaxx Lions out of Toronto and one with FC Oshawa where she won the 2019 League1 Ontario Goal of the Year.

“Once I spoke with the coaches and heard about their ambition and what they are trying to accomplish in League1 Ontario, I was excited because I know it is going to be beyond anyone's expectation,” Makulova said of her new team, “Electric City is going to bring professionalism and take the game to the next level. It's an honor to be part of Electric City FC and be part of something new with this much ambition, excitement, and passion.” When asked what fans can expect to see from her on the pitch she responded with, “I am going to bring leadership, experience, passion, and a strong desire to win.”

Player announcements are expected to continue over the coming weeks as the team builds it roster leading to training camp in early April and kickoff later that month. Season Ticket Vouchers and sponsorship packages are available now at electriccityfc.com.

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