Nick Akoto Explained

Nick Akoto
Full Name:Nicholas Paul-Francois Reza Konan Akoto
Birth Date:16 September 1998
Birth Place:South Miami, Florida, United States[1]
Height:6 ft 3 in
Position:Right-back
Currentclub:Burton Albion
Clubnumber:14
Youthyears1:–2017
Youthclubs1:AFC Wimbledon
Collegeyears1:2019–2020
College1:Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs
Collegecaps1:30
Collegegoals1:5
Collegeyears2:2021–2022
College2:Keiser Seahawks
Collegecaps2:34
Collegegoals2:0
Years1:2017–2018
Clubs1:Maldon & Tiptree
Caps1:20
Goals1:1
Years2:2018
Clubs2:Whyteleafe
Caps2:1
Goals2:0
Years3:2021
Clubs3:Ocean City Nor'easters
Caps3:12
Goals3:0
Years4:2022
Clubs4:South Georgia Tormenta 2
Caps4:8
Goals4:1
Years5:2023–2024
Clubs5:South Georgia Tormenta
Caps5:40
Goals5:2
Years6:2024–
Clubs6:Burton Albion
Caps6:2
Goals6:0
Club-Update:August 20, 2024

Nicholas Akoto (born September 16, 1998), known as Nick Akoto, 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]

Notes and References

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