Duván Esteban Zapata Banguero (Latin American Spanish: [duˈβan saˈpata]; born 1 April 1991) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie A club Torino.
Zapata joined América de Cali's youth academy aged 13 in 2004, and made his debut with the first team on 18 May 2008, during a 3–2 loss against Boyaca Chico, where he also scored a goal.
In July 2008, Zapata started in both legs of the finals against Boyaca Chico, who later beat America on penalties to win the league title.
In December 2008, America de Cali won the league title by beating Independiente Medellín in the finals, but Zapata didn't participate in either match.
For the 2013–13 season, Zapata featured in Estudiantes' starting 11, eventually turning into a fundamental part of the team and attracting interest from many European clubs like Beşiktaş, after scoring 16 goals in 33 games.
[7] In July 2013, Premier League club West Ham United applied for a British work permit for Zapata ahead of a possible transfer from Estudiantes.
Although not meeting the usual requirements for a permit, West Ham attempted to secure his arrival by claiming he was a "special talent" who would enhance the English game.
[20] Later on 20 January 2019, Zapata scored four goals in a 5–0 away win versus Frosinone,[21] becoming the first Atalanta player since Hasse Jeppson in 1952 to achieve this feat in Serie A.
[30] Zapata became Atalanta's joint-highest non-Italian goalscorer in Serie A on 15 May 2021, alongside Germán Denis, scoring his 56th league goal for the club against Genoa.
[35] Zapata received his first call-up to the Colombia national team for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Bolivia and Ecuador in March 2017.
[40] In a pre-tournament friendly on 9 June he scored his first international goal at the end of a 3–0 win away to Peru, having replaced Radamel Falcao at half time.
He is also known for his ability in the air, courtesy of his height, strength, and powerful physique, which also aids him in defending the ball with his back to goal, and enables him to hold up possession and bring his teammates into the game with his link-up play; he is also adept in one on one situations due to his technique and agility.