York United FC Signs Canadian Midfielder Elijah Adekugbe

December 1, 2022 – Canadian Premier League (CPL) – York United FC News Release

York United FC today announced the signing of Canadian midfielder Elijah Adekugbe on a two-year deal.

The 26-year-old spent 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.

Adekugbe fought back strongly from an Anchilles injury that kept him out for the entire 2021 campaign 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.

Appearing on CBC’s Soccer North show to exclusively announce his move, Adekugbe described how watching older brother Sam compete for Canada at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar has proved further inspiration for his own career.

“It’s a new challenge, it’s a new chapter,” he told host Andi Petrillo.

“It’s a big change. 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…