The end of the year signals the beginning of a new transfer window, one during which many Major League Soccer players depart their respective clubs at the conclusion of the spring-to-fall season. For some young talents, this juncture is the time to make the jump to Europe, joining new outfits that are in the midst of their campaigns. Matai Akinmboni appears set to journey overseas, with an imminent move in January. The 18-year-old D.C. United defender is reportedly headed to Bournemouth in the English Premier League.
Akinmboni was born in Annapolis, Maryland and joined the D.C. United Academy in 2021. He began playing for the club’s USL Championship affiliate, Loudoun United, in 2022, making six appearances in his initial season. Bayern Munich brought him in for a trial, with reports of player and club agreeing to “contractual terms,” but the defender ultimately remained stateside.
D.C. United signed the “mature beyond his years” then-15-year-old to a Homegrown contract through 2025 with options for 2026 and 2027, at the time the third-youngest player in MLS history. “It’s been an interesting [journey],” Akinmboni told The Guardian. “I enjoy every moment as I can express myself the most when I’m on the field without being tense… Up until the age of 12 or 13, I was a midfielder/attacker, but since I made the switch to being a defender, I have been enjoying it. I hope to get more playing time to gain experience and eventually help the club win more trophies to increase its great history.”
Having been “excellent in training,” Akinmboni made his senior debut in September, playing 45 minutes in a scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake. Then-manager Wayne Rooney expressed a need to “protect” the young talent while also focusing on his development, praising his composure and correct decisions on the ball. He also started and played 76 minutes in the final match of the season, a 5-2 loss to FC Cincinnati.
Akinmboni spent the offseason training with Swansea City, an experience that provided a glimpse into what is required at the next level. “[I] went there for about three weeks,” he said. “I learned a lot… My movement as a centre-back – before I went there, I didn’t know how much movement you need to receive a pass or create an angle for another player… And definitely my defensive intelligence in terms of positioning because I felt before I went there, I was relying on my physical attributes to get me out of situations [that] I shouldn’t be in… When I first got there, I didn’t really say much on the field… It’s not just saying stuff, but saying the right things to help your teammates.”
Praised as the team’s “top performer of the preseason,” Akinmboni split time between the first and second divisions in 2023. He played five matches with Loudoun United in the USL Championship and featured in another five league and cup fixtures for D.C. United, including starting the opener, closer, and two rounds of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. NXGN tabbed him as a potential “soccer wonderkid [sic],” noting the potential to “make the leap to stardom.”
Last winter was spent training with Villarreal, and the Spanish club reportedly made a failed bid for him after an “impressive” performance. This past season, Akinmboni was named a Top-50 prospect by Top Drawer Soccer and mostly featured with the first team, picking up 11 combined appearances across MLS, Leagues Cup, and Open Cup play – sent on a loan to Loudoun United in May for further experience, D.C. United recalled him shortly after due to injuries. He grabbed his first career assist in a 4-3 loss to FC Dallas but saw his playing time hampered by a nagging ankle issue.
Having turned 18, Akinmboni is now eligible to play in Europe and has been the subject of a constant drumbeat of interest, most notably from Bournemouth. After a series of failed bids, the Premier League club reportedly convinced D.C. United, with the defender set to move in January. According to GIVEMESPORT, the deal is “worth up to $2.5 million” with an additional sell-on percentage. The defender is expected to start with the under-21 squad before “going on loan elsewhere in Europe next season.”
At the international level, Akinmboni is eligible to play for the United States through birth and Nigeria (which reportedly failed to respond to his interest) and Ghana through his heritage. He has been a regular contributor to the first program in the youth ranks, beginning with the U-17 team (but was “mostly bypassed during the World Cup cycle”) before progressing to the U-19 group. His most recent inclusion came with the U-20 squad, playing the opening half in a 3-0 victory over South Korea.
Standing at a “tall and rangy” six-foot-three, the left-footed Akinmboni typically plays centre-back but can also line up at fullback. He is praised for his “very gift ball playing” that can “break lines” along with an “athleticism” that allows his teams to play higher up the field, displaying the ability to “ping a ball through the chaos” and “break [opposing] defenses wide open with a single action.” Observers note improvement to his “positioning and defensive reads” with increased accuracy on passing along with “anticipatory skills and physical talent.”
Despite never locking down a starting role with D.C. United, Akinmboni is tabbed a player with a very high ceiling, thus Bournemouth reportedly making a move for the teenaged defender. He will have to deal with significant challenges during his first few months, from adapting to living overseas to adjusting to the rigors of a new club. There is plenty of time for him to grow and develop, although time will tell how many loans will be in his future. With the right environment and a smooth transition, his profile could quickly rise and lead to a USMNT debut.
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