Zack Steffen

“David Rouse, a goalkeeping scout for Manchester City, came over for maybe a week in October. He was an awesome guy. He showed me what kind of club they were like. We talked about Manchester City. He watched me and watched a game.”

“I am eager to continue to put in the work to improve and be the best teammate I can.”

“There are always going to be your supporters, and then there are going to be haters. I kind of laugh at them.”

“I think it will be good to be in Columbus and get pushed there and then go overseas. If there is a loan, it will be good to get comfortable and get games and get used to the pace of European soccer.”

“And when I hang up my boots and gloves at the end, I want to tell myself I gave everything to the sport.”

“I would love to be in Manchester on the roster.”

“Everyone has different paths. I've been lucky to have a good support system - my family, friends and colleagues to keep me grounded and humble and to keep working hard. I never give up.”

“There's a lot of nerves, a lot of excitement, a little bit of sadness leaving the chapter in Columbus.”

“Columbus is considered my second home, so I definitely miss Columbus for many different reasons. I definitely miss the good times I had there and I miss the guys for sure.”

“When you work hard anything can happen, and I'm just trying to go into 2019 starting where I left off in 2018.”

“I'm a nice guy. And I like to enjoy life, and be around people I love.”

“I can look forward to that. Getting back over to Europe and playing at a little bit higher level, then hopefully becoming a leader for the national team.”

“I'm confident in my abilities and what I can do if I continue to work hard and focus. I don't really care what other people think.”

“I watched the Premier League every weekend with my dad - the highlight shows, everything.”

“There are days where I'm at the facility almost all day long. It's definitely demanding mentally and physically.”

“I've had my stint at Columbus. My family has been right by my side throughout, and that's exactly what I wanted. I found my happiness.”

“I went to Germany taking a chance on seeing what Europe was like, and taking on that new challenge. Obviously it wasn't for me at the time, but I always had that goal to come back to the U.S. and work hard and hopefully go back to Europe.”

“I trust in Man City and what plans they have for me. If everything works out and everything falls into place, anything can happen.”

“As a goalkeeper, you have so much time back there where you're alone, and you're talking to yourself in your head.”

“Any success that I have had as a goalkeeper in MLS with Crew SC is a testament to those around me who have pushed me - teammates, coaches, staff, family, friends and supporters.”