SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has signed fullback Carlos Akapo to a contract through the 2023 season with a club option for 2024. Akapo, who was a free agent, will occupy an international spot on the Quakes’ roster, pending receipt of his P1 Visa and ITC.
“Carlos is a talented player with significant experience for both club and country,” said Earthquakes General Manager Chris Leitch. “He’s made 200 professional appearances in Spain, including more than 50 in LaLiga. He will be an important addition at a position of need. He’s also capable of contributing on both sides of the field which should improve the flexibility and versatility of our roster.”
Akapo, 29, has helped two different clubs earn promotion to Spain’s first division and has made 51 appearances across three seasons in LaLiga. He most recently spent the past three years competing for Cádiz CF, where he made 52 total appearances and scored one goal. Akapo joined Cádiz ahead of the 2019-20 season and made nine appearances to help the club to a second-place finish in LaLiga 2 which earned automatic promotion to the first division. Akapo then scored one goal in 13 LaLiga appearances in 2020-21 before making another 25 LaLiga appearances in 2021-22. His contract with Cádiz expired in July 2022.
Prior to joining Cádiz, Akapo competed for four other teams in his native Spain, including SD Huesca. While with Huesca, Akapo helped the club earn promotion to the first division for the first time in club history and made 13 LaLiga appearances during the 2018-19 season.
Internationally, Akapo represents Equatorial Guinea, the nation of his father’s heritage. He has scored one goal in 28 international appearances, including eight appearances as part of FIFA World Cup qualification. Akapo started every match of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (played in 2022) to help Equatorial Guinea advance out of the Group Stage and defeat Mali in the Round of 16. The team lost to eventual tournament champions Senegal in the Quarterfinals.
Carlos Akapo
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 154 lbs.
Born: March 12, 1993, in Elche, Spain
Preferred Foot: Right
Hometown: Elche, Spain
Previous Club: Cádiz CF (Spain)
College: N/A
Roster Designation: International
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – Earthquakes sign D Carlos Akapo to a contract through the 2023 season with a club option for 2024.
