Akio Signs For Canberra Tigers

Striker William Akio’s season ended on a bittersweet note last year: despite Cavalry winning the playoff championship, his time at the club was at a close.

The South Sudan international will continue his career abroad this year, having just signed on with Australian semi-professional side Tigers FC.

Akio racked up six goals and one assist in his one-and-a-half year stint in hometown Calgary, having been sidelined since June following an ankle injury picked up against Vancouver FC.

The striker spoke about his difficulties getting back to fitness after having lost his place in the squad, but will now attempt a big reset in a fresh environment.

This won’t be his first time playing abroad: following his original CPL spell in Winnipeg with Valour FC – where he tallied ten goals in 43 appearances – he was signed by Scottish side Ross County.

He made fourteen appearances before a rumoured fall-out with the head coach, after which he was loaned down to second division side Raith Rovers, where he made three goals in fifteen appearances.

Akio has also made seven appearances for the South Sudan national team, most recently playing last spring against So Tome and Principe.

Based in the Aussie capital of Canberra, the Tigers play in the NPL capital division. Originally founded as the Cooma Football Club in 1952, moving to Canberra three years ago and retitling to the Tigers, swapping from yellow or orange to fit the name.

Tigers FC is not one of the clubs currently set to join Australia’s national second division, for which eight of sixteen teams have been confirmed.

Former CPL-U SPORTS Draft pick Owen Sheppard just landed in Australia with semi-pro side Corio SC, while Zach Verhoven landed in the NPL with Lambton Eagles. Former Valour defender Tass Mourdoukoutas also signed with A-League side Perth Glory this year.

We had speculated Akio would be an interesting free agent project player for CPL sides, as a fit, more mature Akio has plenty to offer – though we’ll have to see how he bounces back in Canberra to see if a professional return is on the cards.

Header Image Photo Credit: Tony Lewis / Cavalry FC