Farnham Town are delighted to confirm the signing of goalkeeper Zaki Oualah from Isthmian Premier Division side Whitehawk on a contract until the end of the 2025/26 season.
The 29-year-old earned rave reviews last season as he helped guide Chesham United to a historic promotion from the Southern League Premier South into the National League South, keeping 18 clean sheets in 47 games for the Generals throughout the 2023/24 season.
Zaki’s efforts also contributed mightily to Chesham’s progression in the Emirates FA Cup last season as they went all the way to the First Round Proper, with their run including a narrow 2-1 win against the Town at The Memorial Ground in the Second Qualifying Round.
Over the summer, Zaki made the move to Isthmian Premier Division side Whitehawk but suffered an unforunate leg break in their season opener away at Billericay Town on August 10th 2024. After an intense six-month rehab program, Zaki made his return to the pitch on February 11th 2025 in a 2-2 draw against Hendon.
Earlier in his career, Zaki came through the ranks at Reading and after spells with the likes of Aylesbury United, Leatherhead and Hayes & Yeading, he signed a pro deal with AFC Wimbledon in the summer of 2021. He made his professional debut in the EFL Trophy in a 5-3 win against Portsmouth in August 2021 and played the full 90 against Crystal Palace U21 in the next round of the competition.
In February 2022, he joined Billericay Town on loan for the remainder of the season, making 13 appearances in the National League South. He joined league rivals Weymouth for the 2022/23 campaign, making a further 28 appearances in the league before joining Chesham United in the summer of 2023.
Speaking about Zaki’s arrival, manager Paul Johnson said: “I’m pleased to add a goalkeeper of Zaki’s experience and quality for an important run of games between now and the end of the season. Zaki is someone I’ve been very aware of over the years and is spoken very highly of by those that have managed him and played both with and against him.
He was excellent when we got to see him first-hand last season in the FA Cup with Chesham United, and is someone we looked at last summer. He suffered an unfortunate injury at the start of the season but he’s back fully fit now and ready to contribute regularly, and I’m delighted we’ve been able to get this over the line.”
We’d like to thank everyone involved at Whitehawk for allowing a smooth process for Zaki’s transfer to Farnham Town. Zaki has been registered and is available for immediate selection ahead of our next game away at Kingstonian on Wednesday night.