Akpan Signs Major League Soccer Contract

Pictured: Andre Akpan, Harvard's first finalist for the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy
Photo courtesy: David Silverman Photography

Complete Major League Soccer Release


NEW YORK -- Senior forward Andre Akpan of the Harvard men’s soccer team was among three collegiate seniors and four underclassmen from across the country to sign a Major League Soccer contract, the MLS announced. MLS teams and adidas identified Akpan as one of the most promising young soccer players in the country, and he has signed a contract making him available for selection in the upcoming 2010 MLS SuperDraft.

Harvard’s first finalist for the Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy, presented to the nation’s top collegiate player, Akpan, a native of Grand Prairie, Texas, has garnered NSCAA and College Soccer News All-America status this fall. The Ivy League Player of the Year and unanimous choice to the All-Ivy League first team, Akpan completed his career as Harvard’s all-time leading scorer with 127 points. He also ranks first in school history with 33 assists and is tied for Chris Ohiri ’64 for first with 47 goals. In his senior season, Akpan led Harvard and the Ivy League with 12 goals and 30 points, while netting four game-winning tallies.

An Academic All-Ivy League choice, Akpan helped guide Harvard to a 14-4-1 overall record in 2009, as the team won the Ivy League title and reached the third round of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1987. The Crimson was ranked as high as No. 6 in the national polls and advanced to the NCAA postseason for the fourth consecutive year.

The 2010 MLS SuperDraft takes place on Thursday, Jan. 14 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia at 2 p.m.. The first hour will be broadcast live on ESPN2; the remainder of the draft can be followed on MLSnet.com.

Akpan, along with Harvard classmate and fellow unanimous All-Ivy League pick Kwaku Nyamekye, are scheduled to participate in the adidas MLS Player Combine Jan. 8-12 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The Combine gives MLS coaches and general managers a final chance to evaluate talent in preparation for the SuperDraft.