William Akio

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William Akio
Personal information
Date of birth (1998-07-23) 23 July 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth Nairobi, Kenya
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Forward
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 SAIT Trojans 19 (18)
2018–2021 UTRGV Vaqueros 41 (18)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 Calgary Foothills 29 (13)
2021–2022 Valour FC 41 (10)
2022–2023 Ross County 12 (1)
2023 → Raith Rovers (loan) 14 (2)
2023–2024 Cavalry FC 18 (6)
International career‡
2022– South Sudan 6 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of December 7, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of November 23, 2023

William Akio (born 23 July 1998) is a South Sudanese professional footballer who most recently played as a forward for Cavalry FC of the Canadian Premier League and the South Sudan national team.

Early life

Akio was born in a refugee camp in Nairobi, Kenya to South Sudanese parents who had fled the Second Sudanese Civil War.[1] He later immigrated to Canada with his family, where he grew up in Calgary.[1]

Club career

Early career

In 2016, Akio attended the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, where he scored eighteen goals in nineteen appearances over two years.[2] In 2018, he transferred to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where he went on to score eighteen goals in 41 appearances.[2] Akio played for Calgary Foothills in USL League Two from 2017 to 2019, scoring 13 goals in 29 games, adding another 1 goal in 6 playoff games. In 2019, he scored 11 goals in 12 appearances.[3][4][5]

Valour FC

On 5 May 2021, Akio signed his first professional contract with Canadian Premier League side Valour FC.[6] On 27 June 2021, he made his debut as a substitute in a 2–0 win over Forge FC.[7] He scored his first professional goal on June 30 in a match against HFX Wanderers. Valour started the season off very strong, aided by home field advantage as the first segment of the season was played only in Winnipeg due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When this part of the season ended, the team began to struggle midway through the season and fell out of a playoff position. However, Akio helped lead a resurgence near the end of the season, pushing Valour right into the thick of the playoff race, with performances such as his two goals and an assist in a crucial match against Cavalry.[8] But despite Akio and the rest of the team's efforts, Valour just missed out of the playoffs.[9] Overall Akio had a strong first professional season, finishing with eight goals and three assists, and was in especially excellent form in October and November, being named in the CPL Team of the Week twice.

In January 2022, Valour announced they had picked up Akio's contract option, keeping him at the club through 2022.[10] He remained a fixture in Valour's starting eleven. During this season he made international headlines in an unfortunate way, by accidentally making a goal-line clearance of his own teammate's shot. However, Valour still won the game.[11] This incident did not derail his career, as just a week later he moved up through securing a transfer with Ross County, who had been impressed with his overall play. Akio departed Valour as the club's second highest goalscorer all time, behind Moses Dyer.[12]

Ross County

In July 2022, Scottish Premiership side Ross County announced they had signed Akio from Valour FC on a three-year deal.[13] On his debut against East Fife on July 23 in a Scottish League Cup match, Akio tallied two assists in less than two minutes. Later on in the game, Akio suffered a knee injury for which he underwent surgery for, sidelining him.[14] On September 3, Akio made his league debut for Ross County against Aberdeen where he scored a last minute goal in the 95th minute to secure a point.[15] Akio made his first start for the club on September 17 in an away league match against St Johnstone where they drew 0-0.

Raith Rovers (loan)

On 28 January 2023, Akio was loaned to Scottish Championship side Raith Rovers.[16] He made his debut on the same day coming off the bench in a league game against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[17] Akio scored his first goal for The Rovers on 8 February 2023 in a Scottish Challenge Cup game against Dundee F.C. Raith went on to win the match 4–3 in penalties to advance the finals of the cup.[18]

Cavalry FC

In July 2023, Akio returned to the Canadian Premier League, joining Cavalry FC for an undisclosed fee,[19][20] signing a contract through the end of the 2025 season with his home-town club.[20][21] Akio would score his first goal for Cavalry in his third game, celebrating by running to the stands to hug his mother.[22] In July 2024 it was announced that Akio would miss the rest of the season due to an ankle injury.[23] After the end of the 2024 season, Cavalry and Akio would mutually agree to terminate his contract, ending his time at the club.[24]

International career

In 2021, Akio received his first call-up to the South Sudan national team, but did not make an appearance.[25] A month after signing his first pro contract with Valour FC, he received another call-up for a friendly against Jordan.[25] After the 2021 CPL season ended, Akio was again called up by South Sudan for friendlies against the Gambia and Algeria.[26] Akio eventually made his international debut on 27 January 2022 in a friendly defeat to Uzbekistan.[27][28]

Personal life

Akio is the older brother of fellow football player Victor Loturi.[29]

Akio runs a YouTube channel about his experiences as a professional and international soccer player, the channel has over 40,000 subscribers.[30]

Career statistics

Club

As of June 16, 2024[31]
Club Season League League Playoffs Cup League Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Calgary Foothills 2017[32] Premier Development League 7 1 1 0 — — — 8 1
2018[33] 10 1 4 1 — — — 14 2
2019[33] 12 11 1 0 — — — 13 11
Total 29 13 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 14
Valour FC 2021 Canadian Premier League 28 8 — 2 0 — — 30 8
2022 13 2 — 1 0 — — 14 2
Total 41 10 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 44 10
Ross County 2022–23 Scottish Premiership 12 1 — 1 0 1 0 — 14 1
Raith Rovers (loan) 2022–23 Scottish Championship 14 2 — 0 0 0 0 1[a] 1 15 3
Cavalry FC 2023 Canadian Premier League 10 5 3 0 0 0 — — 13 5
2024 8 1 0 0 3 0 — 2 0 13 1
Total 18 6 3 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 26 6
Career Total 114 32 9 0 7 0 1 0 3 1 134 34
  1. ^ Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup

International

As of match played 1 April 2023[28]
National team Year Apps Goals
South Sudan 2022 3 0
2023 2 0
Total 5 0

References

  1. ^ a b Ed Tait (6 May 2021). "How William Akio turned an IG Field tour to Valour FC contract: 'I will play in CPL one day'". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b "William Akio". University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  3. ^ "William Akio profile". USL League Two. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  4. ^ "William Akio profile". USL League Two. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  5. ^ "William Akio 2019". USL League Two. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Valour FC signs forward William Akio for 2021 season". Canadian Premier League. 5 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Forge vs. Valour - 27 June 2021". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  8. ^ "HIGHLIGHTS: Valour FC takes chaotic 4-2 win over Cavs, dramatically jump back into playoff spot". Canadian Premier League. 30 October 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  9. ^ "Eddies Hang On To Eliminate Valour From Playoff Contention". Northern Tribune. 6 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Valour FC announce return of forwards Moses Dyer and William Akio". Valour FC. 11 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Is this the worst miss you've ever seen?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Akio Ascends To Scottish Premiership In Ross County Move". Northern Tribune. 17 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Akio joins The Staggies". 17 July 2022.
  14. ^ Jacques, John (4 August 2022). "Akio Completes Successful Knee Surgery". Northern Tribune.
  15. ^ Skinner, Andy (13 September 2022). "William Akio is eager to rack up goals after rapid knee injury recovery and getting off mark for Ross County, says Malky Mackay". The Press and Journal.
  16. ^ "Akio joins Raith Rovers on loan". Ross County FC. 28 January 2023.
  17. ^ "Late Mckay header earns Inverness CT a point". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  18. ^ "William Akio Match History". whoscored.com. 19 March 2023.
  19. ^ "Akio departs County for undisclosed fee". BBC Sport. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  20. ^ a b Jacques, John (14 July 2023). "Akio's Back: Cavalry Inks Former Valour, Ross County Forward". Northern Tribune. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  21. ^ "Cavalry FC Signs William Akio to 2023 Roster". Cavalry FC. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  22. ^ Todd Saelhof (4 August 2023). "Cavalry flips nemesis Forge in one of team's 'best performances'". Calgary Sun.
  23. ^ "Cavalry FC Forward William Akio Sustains Season-Ending Injury". Cavalry FC. 4 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Cavalry FC Announces End of Season Roster Updates". Cavalry FC. 7 December 2024.
  25. ^ a b John Jacques (1 June 2021). "Four CPL Players Called Up For International Duty". Northern Tribune. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  26. ^ "William Akio Accepts South Sudan Call-Up". Northern Tribune. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  27. ^ "South Sudan 0 Uzbekistan 3". footballcritic.com. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  28. ^ a b "NFT profile". National Football Teams. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  29. ^ Thompson, Marty (7 August 2021). "WATCH: Brothers Victor Loturi & William Akio to continue storybook journey in hometown clash Sunday". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  30. ^ "William Akio - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  31. ^ William Akio at Soccerway
  32. ^ "William Akio 2017 PDL Stats". USL League Two.
  33. ^ a b "William Akio 2018, 2019 PDL Profile". USL League Two.
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