[1] Zia Shaoul started his footballing career with Levy Civilian and Civil Cantonment in his birthplace of Habbaniyah.
[5] In 1961, he left Iraq and joined 1960 European Cup finalists Eintracht Frankfurt of then West Germany.
Zia retired from playing in 1962 after the club decided against renewing his contract for another season.
[6][7] In 1959, Iraq coach Shawqi Abboud chose Zia as part of the national team squad that played several friendly matches with clubs from Eastern European countries.
[8] After retiring Zia coached a local side called Viktoria Kelsterbach for 5 years until he left Germany and immigrated to Canada in 1967.