Chanka Zimba

Chanka Solomon Zimba (born 29 December 2001) is a Zambian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Scottish League One club Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Chanka Zimba

Personal information
Full name	Chanka Solomon Zimba[1]
Date of birth	(2001-12-29) 29 December 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth	Zambia
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Youth career
	Blackburn Rovers
2020–2021	Cardiff City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–2024	Cardiff City	1	(0)
2022	→ Northampton Town (loan)	12	(1)
2022	→ Newport County (loan)	13	(0)
2023–2024	→ Maidenhead United (loan)	24	(4)
2024–2025	Marine	5	(0)
2025–	Inverness Caledonian Thistle	0	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 10:19, 2 August 2025 (UTC)

Early and personal life

Zimba was born in Zambia.^[2]

Career

Zimba began his career with Blackburn Rovers; he was released in summer 2020, and signed with Cardiff City in September 2020.^[3] He was called to the first-team for the first time in December 2020, due to injury problems and suspensions.^[2] He signed a new contract with the club in August 2021.^[4] He made his senior debut on 20 November 2021.^[5]

Zimba moved on on loan to Northampton Town in January 2022.^[6] In July 2022 he joined Newport County on loan for the 2022–23 season.^[7] Zimba made his debut for Newport on 30 July 2022 in the 1–1 League Two draw against Sutton United as a second-half substitute.^[8] He scored his first goal for Newport on 9 August 2022 in the 3–2 EFL Cup first round win against Luton Town.^[9] He was released back to his parent club by Newport on 29 December 2022.^[10]

In August 2023, Zimba joined Maidenhead United on loan until January 2024.^[11] The loan was later extended until the end of the season.^[12]

He was released by Cardiff at the end of the 2023–24 season.^[13]

In September 2024, Zimba joined National League North club Marine.^[14]

On 1 August 2025, Zimba signed for Scottish League One club Inverness Caledonian Thistle.^[15]

Career statistics

As of 24 January 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Cardiff City	2021–22[5]	Championship	1	0	0	0	0	0	—		1	0
	2022–23[16]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2023–24[17]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total		1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Northampton Town (loan)	2021–22[5]	League Two	12	1	0	0	0	0	1[a]	0	13	1
Newport County (loan)	2022–23[16]	League Two	13	0	1	0	3	1	3[b]	1	20	2
Maidenhead United (loan)	2023–24[18]	National League	24	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	24	4
Marine	2024–25[18]	National League North	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Inverness Caledonian Thistle	2025–26[18]	Scottish League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career total			55	5	1	0	3	1	4	1	63	7

1. Appearance in League Two play-offs
2. Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.