# Zain Walker

Zain Alexander Walker (born 8 January 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League South club Welling United.

## Career
### Bristol Rovers

Born in Wandsworth, Walker began his career with Fulham, moving to Bristol Rovers at the age of 16. He made his debut on 13 November 2018 in the EFL Trophy, one of four Bristol Rovers players (alongside Tareiq Holmes-Dennis, Connor Jones and Theo Widdrington) to do so in that match. Walker also became the first player born in the 2000s to play for Bristol Rovers.
On 4 September 2020, Walker signed a new two-year deal contract with Rovers with an option for a further year, following an impressive pre-season. Walker made his first league appearance for the club in a 4–1 defeat to Doncaster Rovers coming off of the bench in the 74 minute. Having featured off of the bench a few times, Rovers' third manager of the season Joey Barton promoted both Walker and fellow Development Squad player Pablo Martinez to train with the first team in early March 2021 as Rovers fought to avoid relegation. Walker made his full debut for the club when he started on 27 March 2021 in a 1–0 home defeat to Sunderland.
On 8 September 2021, Walker joined National League side King's Lynn Town on a one-month youth loan deal. He made his debut that weekend, starting and playing 66 minutes of a 2–1 defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge.
On 12 November 2021, Walker joined National League South side Chippenham Town on loan along with his Rovers teammate Cameron Hargreaves. He made his debut the following day but was forced off after 30 minutes with a muscle injury.

### King's Lynn Town

On 19 January 2022, Walker joined National League side King's Lynn Town for an undisclosed fee having spent time on loan there earlier in the season.

### Aldershot Town

In July 2023, Walker signed for National League club Aldershot Town on a one-year deal, reuniting with former King's Lynn manager Tommy Widdrington.
On 2 August 2023, he joined National League North club Bishop's Stortford on loan until January 2024. The loan ended in January 2024. He returned to the club the following month on loan until the end of the season.
Walker was released by Aldershot upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2023–24 season.

### Welling United

On 31 May 2024, Walker joined National League South club Welling United.

## Career statistics

    As of end of 2023–24 season
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Bristol Rovers | 2018–19 | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Bristol Rovers | 2019–20 | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bristol Rovers | 2020–21 | League One | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Bristol Rovers | 2021–22 | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Bristol Rovers | Total | Total | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| King's Lynn Town (loan) | 2021–22 | National League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Chippenham Town (loan) | 2021–22 | National League South | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| King's Lynn Town | 2021–22 | National League | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| King's Lynn Town | 2022–23 | National League North | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| King's Lynn Town | Total | Total | 21 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| Aldershot Town | 2023–24 | National League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bishop's Stortford (loan) | 2023–24 | National League North | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| Career Total | Career Total | Career Total | 58 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 72 | 1 |
* 1 2 3 Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy.
* 1 2 Appearance(s) in FA Trophy