William Akio is making his return to the Canadian Premier League but is switching provinces in the process.
The former Valour FC attacker has signed with Cavalry FC on a deal through the end of 2025, the club announced on Friday, giving a big boost to their already lethal forward unit.
“He’s one you always have to worry about because he’s got different ways to play,” Cavalry head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. told CanPL.ca. “He can play anywhere across the front three, whether it’s central, right or left and he’s so dynamic in the way we attack. He fits where we are at, and where we’re moving with this new Cavalry. Not only that, his personality is superb and he’s going to add a lot of joy to the fans as well as to his teammates.”
The 24-year-old joins the club from Ross County in Scotland, for whom he played 14 matches in all competitions, scoring once and adding two assists. He played an additional 15 matches for Raith Rovers in the Scottish Championship on loan, scoring three goals. With Ross County, he played alongside his brother, former Cavalry FC midfielder and Canadian international Victor Loturi.
The brothers grew up in Calgary, making this move a homecoming for Akio. The 24-year-old spent time playing with Tommy Wheeldon Jr. in the Calgary Foothills program, winning a PDL Championship in 2018. That Foothills team included the likes of current Cavalry teammates Ali Musse, Sergio Camargo and Marco Carducci as well as assistant coach Nik Ledgerwood.
After spending time in the NCAA, he joined Valour in 2021, scoring ten goals and adding five assists in 44 appearances in all competitions for the Winnipeg side. In July 2022 it was announced that he had signed with Ross County.
Akio has also represented South Sudan internationally, earning five caps for the Bright Stars. He made his international debut in January 2022 during an international friendly against Uzbekistan.
After losing José Escalante on loan to Motagua and Miki Cantave to Vancouver FC, Akio will provide Cavalry with a critical further injection of attacking talent to what is already one of the league’s most exciting and dynamic frontlines. Wheeldon Jr. said the moment they found out Ross County was making him available they pounced on the opportunity.
“I don’t think this is the final destination for Willy,” said Wheeldon Jr. “I still believe that there is another level for him and I think with how we have worked with our player progression we can help him as much as he can help us.”
Two former Cavalry players, Akio’s brother Victor and Dominick Zator, recently appeared for Canada at the Concacaf Gold Cup after moving to Europe. Other Cavalry alumni include CF Montréal and Canadian international Joel Waterman (who played with Akio at Calgary Foothills), Luton Town striker Aribim Pepple and Columbus Crew’s Mo Farsi. The hope will be that Akio someday joins that list, but for now, his return to the CPL significantly strengthens this current Cavalry FC side.
