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

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

The 26-year-old spent four seasons with Cavalry FC, racking up 50 appearances in the Canadian Premier League and another five in the Canadian Championship. In total, he had over 3,500 minutes of action, scoring three goals and adding five assists.

Adekugbe fought back strongly from the Anchilles injury that kept him out of action throughout the 2021 season and was an integral part of the Cavs’ run to the CPL semi-finals last season, starting both games in an intense two-legged battle with eventual champions Forge FC.

Appearing on CBC’s Soccer North show to announce his move exclusively, 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.

“This is a new challenge, 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 continue on my own path and be the best version of myself.” and I want to thank everyone at York-Angus [McNab]Nashy, Mauro (Eustáquio) – for believing in me and giving me a chance.”

With plans well laid out for the 2023 season, Adekugbe is the first new signing announced by The Nine Stripes with more additions in the near future.

“Elijah is a player that I have really liked over the years,” said Angus McNab, CEO/President and GM of York United FC.

“He did very well coming back from an Achilles injury and the fact he started both playoff games late in the season really cements the fact that he is 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 football education was developed while playing in the minors with the Calgary Foothills. He then joined the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy before returning to the Foothills for their inaugural season in the Premier Development League (PDL). In 2018, he was a key part of the team that finished the season as champions. At the end of that year, he was signed by Cavalry FC ahead of what proved to be an impressive debut CPL campaign which saw them finish as autumn champions before narrowly losing to Forge FC in the championship decider.

His move to The Nine Stripes reunited him with a number of familiar faces. In Cavalry, Adekugbe had Niko Giantsopoulos and Dominick Zator as teammates, 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 second season as assistant coach at York United, Nash is gearing up for his second in the big chair.

“Elijah is a leader,” the Head Coach said of his new signing.

“He is a very technical midfield player, who has the ability to dictate the tempo of the game.”

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