Nick Akoto

Nick Akoto
Personal information
Full name Nicholas Paul-Francois Reza Konan Akoto
Date of birth (1998-09-16) September 16, 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth South Miami, Florida, United States[1]
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Position(s) Right-back
Team information
Current team
 Burton Albion
Number 14
Youth career
0000–2017 AFC Wimbledon
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2020 Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs 30 (5)
2021–2022 Keiser Seahawks 34 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2018 Maldon & Tiptree 20 (1)
2018 Whyteleafe 1 (0)
2021 Ocean City Nor'easters 12 (0)
2022 South Georgia Tormenta 2 8 (1)
2023–2024 South Georgia Tormenta 40 (2)
2024– Burton Albion 12 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 28, 2024

Nicholas "Nick" Akoto (born September 16, 1998) is an American soccer player who plays as a right-back for EFL League One club Burton Albion.

Career

Youth, college and amateur

Akoto played as part of the AFC Wimbledon under-18's side until the summer of 2017.[2][3][4] Following his release from Wimbledon, Akoto spent the 2016–17 season with Isthmian League side Maldon & Tiptree, where he made 20 league appearances, scoring a single goal.[5][6] He started 2018 with non-league side Whyteleafe.[7][8]

In 2019, Akoto left to play college soccer in the United States. He spent two seasons at Tennessee Wesleyan University, scoring five goals and tallying eight assists in 30 appearances with the Bulldogs.[9] He transferred to Keiser University for the 2021 season, making 17 appearances and adding five assists. In 2022, he made 17 appearances and added two assists for the Seahawks.[10]

In 2021, Akoto appeared for USL League Two side Ocean City Nor'easters, making fourteen appearances across the regular season and playoffs.[11] In 2022, Akoto again played in the USL League Two, this time appearing eight times for South Georgia Tormenta 2 and scoring a single goal.[12]

Professional

On February 2, 2023, Akoto signed with USL League One side South Georgia Tormenta ahead of their 2023 season.[13][4] He made his professional debut on March 17, 2023, starting in a 1–0 win over North Carolina FC.[14] His performance earned him a place on the USL League One Team of the Week.[15]

On July 24, 2024, Akoto returned to England to sign a three-year deal with EFL League One side Burton Albion for an undisclosed transfer fee.[16][17]

References

  1. ^ "Nick Akoto: Full Circle".
  2. ^ "Continuing our rich cup history". www.afcwimbledon.co.uk.
  3. ^ "YOUTH UPDATE | Southend United U18s 5-0 AFC Wimbledon U18s". www.southendunited.co.uk.
  4. ^ a b USLLeagueOne com Staff (February 6, 2023). "NAIA National Champion Nick Akoto signs first pro deal with Tormenta FC". USL League One.
  5. ^ "Nicholas Akoto - Maldon & Tiptree Football Club 1st Team". www.pitchero.com.
  6. ^ "Maldon & Tiptree | Appearances | Nicholas Akoto | 2017-2018 | Football Web Pages". www.footballwebpages.co.uk.
  7. ^ "Whyteleafe | Appearances | Nicholas Akoto | 2018-2019 | Football Web Pages". www.footballwebpages.co.uk.
  8. ^ "Leafe flying high as Athletic make history in the FA Cup". Inside Croydon. September 7, 2018.
  9. ^ "Tennessee Wesleyan University - Nicholas Akoto". www.twcbulldogs.com.
  10. ^ "Nick Akoto - 2022 - No. 9 Men's Soccer". Keiser University Athletics.
  11. ^ "Ocean City Nor'easters | uslleaguetwo.com". www.uslleaguetwo.com.
  12. ^ "South Georgia Tormenta FC | uslleaguetwo.com". www.uslleaguetwo.com.
  13. ^ "Pros Start Here: Nick Akoto Signs First Professional Contract with Tormenta FC".
  14. ^ "Match Center | USLLeagueOne.com". www.uslleagueone.com.
  15. ^ "Akale, Otieno, Murphy Jr. Named to USL League One Team of the Week".
  16. ^ https://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/2024/july/24/brewers-sign-nick-akoto-on-a-permanent-deal/
  17. ^ "South Georgia Tormenta FC and Burton Albion FC Agree on Transfer of Nick Akoto".