December 1, 2022...York United FC Announces Signing of Canadian Midfielder Elijah Adekugbe (from York United FC website)

YORK UNITED FC ANNOUNCES SIGNING OF CANADIAN MIDFIELDER ELIJAH ADEKUGBE The 26-year-old has signed
for The Nine Stripes on a two-year deal.

York United FC is thrilled to announce the signing of Canadian midfielder Elijah Adekugbe
on a two-year deal.

The 26-year-old has spent the past four seasons with Cavalry FC, accumulating 50 appearances
in the Canadian Premier League and five more in the Canadian Championship. In total, he racked
up over 3,500 minutes of action, scored three goals and added five assists.

But for an Achilles injury that kept him out for the entire 2021 campaign, his numbers would be even
more impressive. Still, Adekugbe fought back strongly and proved an integral part of the Cavs run
to the CPL semi finals last season, starting both games in what was an intense two-legged battle with
eventual champions Forge FC.

Adekugbe revealed the news in an exclusive interview with Andi Petrillo on CBC's Soccer North show.
Currently in Qatar to support older brother Sam's World Cup adventure with the Canadian Men's National
Team, he spoke of the move and his excitement at what lies ahead.

"It's a new challenge, it's a new chapter and I'm super excited to announce it,"he said.

"It's a big change. Obviously, I've been in Calgary my whole life but it's a new setting, a new
inspiration. The hunger is still the same and even coming to Qatar and watching my brother play has
inspired me even more to keep continuing on my own path and be the best version of myself and I'd like
to thank everyone at York - Angus [McNab], Nashy, Mauro (Eustáquio) - for believing in me and giving
me the opportunity."

With plans shaping up nicely for the 2023 season, Adekugbe is the first new signing announced
by The Nine Stripes with more additions on their way soon.

"Elijah is a player that I’ve really liked for a number of years," says Angus McNab, York United FC
CEO/President and GM.

"He’s done very well to come back from his Achilles injury and the fact that he started both of the
playoff games at the end of the season really cements the fact he’s 100% and a very important player
in this league."

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.

His move to The Nine Stripes reunites him with a number of familiar faces. At Cavalry, Adekugbe
had Niko Giantsopoulos and Dominick Zator as team-mates, as well as Mauro Eustáquio. Meanwhile,
Martin Nash was a key member of the coaching staff at Spruce Meadows. Now, while Eustáquio is preparing
for his sophomore season as an assistant coach with York United, Nash is gearing up for his second
campaign in the big seat.

"Elijah is a leader," the Head Coach says of his new recruit.

"He is a very technical midfield player, who has the ability to dictate the tempo of a match."

New York United FC midfielder Elijah Adekugbe chats with Andi Petrillo on CBC's Soccer North show
and describes his excitement at signing with The Nine Stripes.

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