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William Akio (born 23 July 1998) is a South Sudanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ross County and the South Sudan national team.

William Akio
Personal information
Date of birth (1998-07-23) 23 July 1998 (age 24)
Place of birth Nairobi, Kenya
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
Ross County
Number 18
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– Ross County 9 (1)
National team
2022– South Sudan 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 November 2022
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 March 2022

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] He is the older brother of fellow football player Victor Loturi.[2]


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.[3] In 2018, he transferred to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where he went on to score eighteen goals in 41 appearances.[3] 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 would score 11 goals in 12 appearances.[4][5][6]


Valour FC


On 5 May 2021, Akio signed his first professional contract with Canadian Premier League side Valour FC.[7] On 27 June 2021, he made his debut as a substitute in a 2–0 win over Forge FC.[8] 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.[9] But despite Akio and the rest of the team's efforts, Valour just missed out of the playoffs.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13]


Ross County


In July 2022, Scottish Premiership side Ross County announced they had signed Akio from Valour FC on a three-year deal.[14] 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. [15] 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. [16] Akio made his first start for the club on September 17 in an away league match against St Johnstone where they drew 0-0.


International career


In 2021, Akio received his first call-up to the South Sudan national team, but did not make an appearance.[17] A month after signing his first pro contract with Valour FC, he received another call-up for a friendly against Jordan.[17] After the 2021 CPL season ended, Akio was again called up by South Sudan for friendlies against the Gambia and Algeria.[18] Akio eventually made his international debut on 27 January 2022 in a friendly defeat to Uzbekistan.[19][20]


Personal life


Akio runs a YouTube channel about his experiences as a professional and international soccer player, the channel has over 35,000 subscribers. He has collaborated with fellow football youtubers, Jodabeni Dondelli and Matthew Sheldon. [21]


Career statistics



Club


As of 12 November 2022[22][23]
Club Season League League Cup League Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Calgary Foothills 2017 USL League Two 7100100081
2018 101004100142
2019 12110010001311
Total 29130061003514
Valour FC 2021 CPL 288200000308
2022 132100000142
Total 41103000004410
Ross County 2022–23 Scottish Premiership 910010101
Career Total 79243071008925

International


As of match played 28 March 2022[20]
National teamYearAppsGoals
South Sudan 202240
Total40

References


  1. 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. 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.
  3. "William Akio". University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  4. "William Akio profile". USL League Two. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  5. "William Akio profile". USL League Two. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  6. "William Akio 2019". USL League Two. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  7. "Valour FC signs forward William Akio for 2021 season". Canadian Premier League. 5 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  8. "Forge vs. Valour - 27 June 2021". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  9. "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.
  10. "Eddies Hang On To Eliminate Valour From Playoff Contention". Northern Tribune. 6 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  11. "Valour FC announce return of forwards Moses Dyer and William Akio". Valour FC. 11 January 2022.
  12. "Is this the worst miss you've ever seen?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  13. "Akio Ascends To Scottish Premiership In Ross County Move". Northern Tribune. 17 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  14. "Akio joins The Staggies". 17 July 2022.
  15. Jacques, John (4 August 2022). "Akio Completes Successful Knee Surgery". Northern Tribune.
  16. 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.
  17. John Jacques (1 June 2021). "Four CPL Players Called Up For International Duty". Northern Tribune. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  18. "William Akio Accepts South Sudan Call-Up". Northern Tribune. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  19. "South Sudan 0 Uzbekistan 3". footballcritic.com. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  20. "NFT profile". National Football Teams. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  21. "William Akio - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  22. "William Akio Profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  23. "William Akio Profile". USL League Two. Retrieved 18 May 2022.





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