December 5, 2024...Elijah Adekugbe extends stay with The Nine Stripes (from York United FC website)

Elijah Adekugbe extends stay with The Nine Stripes

The midfielder starred for the team in his sophomore season, making 29 appearances in all competitions.

THE HOUSE OF ELI

York United FC is thrilled to announce the signing of midfielder Elijah Adekugbe to a one year guaranteed contract, which includes a club option for a further twelve months.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a superb sophomore season with The Nine Stripes, making 29 appearances in all competitions, scoring once and adding two assists.

Throughout the season, Adekugbe blossomed in a variety of different roles, displaying exemplary leadership as the team delivered a magnificent, record-setting campaign. Although usually a midfielder, Adekugbe was frequently called upon to drop into a central defensive role due to injuries and suspensions and the calibre and consistency of his performances ensured he was named to the Gatorade Team of the Week on five occasions.

"I'm so excited to be back and incredibly motivated to build on all of the positivity from 2024," Adekugbe says.

"We did some good work and it's given us a taste of what we can achieve together. This club has the potential to win a championship and everyone can see we're on an upward trajectory. There will be bigger and better things next season and I can't wait to get started."

Adekugbe is an experienced Canadian Premier League player, with his 100th appearance for a CPL club coming in The Nine Stripes' playoff shootout defeat to Atletico Ottawa. Overall, he's represented the team 45 times and racked up over 2800 minutes of action.

Previously with his hometown club Cavalry FC, where he spent four season, he signed for York United in December 2022.

Born in London and with his early years spent in Manchester, England, Adekugbe moved to Canada with his family when he was eight and his formative soccer education was developed while playing underage with Calgary Foothills. He later joined the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy before returning to the Foothills for their inaugural season in the Premier Development League (PDL). In 2018, he was an instrumental part of a side that finished the season as champions. At the end of that year, he was signed by Cavalry FC ahead of what proved an impressive debut CPL campaign that saw them finish as Fall season champions before losing narrowly to Forge FC in the championship decider.

"Elijah was a key component in 2024 and displayed immense leadership throughout the season," says Ricardo Pasquel, President of York United FC.

"On the field, he's a big presence and offers experience and expertise. Off the field, he's a superb ambassador for the club and understands exactly what York United FC is all about. When Elijah speaks, everyone listens. And if you want to succeed, you need those types of characters in the locker room and around the organization. He's a special person and crucial to our plans."

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