Matai Akinmboni (born October 17, 2006) is an American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer[1]
Personal information | |||
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Date of birth | (2006-10-17) October 17, 2006 (age 16) | ||
Place of birth | Annapolis, Maryland, U.S. | ||
Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | D.C. United | ||
Number | 45 | ||
Youth career | |||
D.C. United | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2022– | Loudoun United | 6 | (0) |
2022– | D.C. United | 2 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 19, 2022 |
Akinmboni is a central defender who plays for D.C. United's USL affiliate Loudoun United while training at the D.C. United Academy.[2] His first professional action was on March 27, 2022, coming on as a substitute in the last four minutes of a Loudoun match against The Miami FC.[3] He trained for two weeks with FC Bayern Munich in 2021, and was reported to have received "contractual terms"[4] from the club, but ultimately did not join them.
On August 31, 2022, Akinmboni was signed by D.C. United to a homegrown contract with the first team.[1] On the same day, Akinmboni was part of the team's gameday roster against NYCFC, but was not called to take the field for that game.[5] His first action with D.C. United would come on September 10, 2022, when he was given a starting spot and played the entire first half of a match against Real Salt Lake that ended in a 0-0 draw.[6]
Akinmboni was born in the USA, but through his parentage, is also eligible to play for the senior teams of Nigeria or Ghana.[4] On August 16, 2022, he was called up to the United States men's national under-17 soccer team.[7]
Akinmboni is the nephew of retired Ghanaian footballer Sammy Kuffour.[8]
D.C. United – current squad | |
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