Valour FC has signed forward William Akio to a contract for the 2021 CPL season.

Akio, 22, joins Valour from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley where he spent the last season, scoring seven goals and adding two assists in 10 games played.

“William has excelled at both the USL Two and NCAA levels and we have followed his career with great interest,” Valour coach Rob Gale said. “We are delighted that he has chosen to sign his first professional contract in Winnipeg and join the squad for 2021.”

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The forward joined the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros in 2018, totaling 18 goals and 14 assists in three seasons with the club, putting him second all-time in points, third in goals, and tied for first in assists in the program’s history.

In 2019, the forward also spent time with Calgary Foothills FC (USL Two), totaling 11 goals in 12 games played.

Akio is the 18th player signed by Gale’s squad for the 2021 season, joining fellow domestic newcomers like Keven Alemán and Jonathan Sirois.

Valour is set to kick off full pre-season training on May 17 at IG Field.

We have signed Canadian forward William Akio.

? | https://t.co/7MtM0ozaVs#ForValour | #CanPL pic.twitter.com/sklcUwIu6J

— ValourFC (@ValourFootball) May 5, 2021