ORLANDO, Fla. (July 10, 2020) - Orlando City SC and forward Tesho Akindele (Ah-kin-del-lee) have agreed to a contract extension that includes options for the 2022 and 2023 Major League Soccer (MLS) campaigns, it was announced today. Akindele’s previous contract concluded following the 2021 season.
Akindele, 28, joined the Lions ahead of their 2019 season when he was acquired from FC Dallas, the former club of Orlando City EVP of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi and Head Coach Oscar Pareja.
“We are very excited to have Tesho continue with us in Orlando,” Muzzi said of the new deal. “He has shown true leadership both on and off the field since his arrival, as well as an innate goal-scoring ability. Tesho is a very important piece on our roster and a role model for our youth. We look forward to seeing his continued involvement with the growth of all aspects of our Club.”
In his first year in Orlando, Akindele registered the best season of his career, netting a personal best 10 goals, his highest number since earning MLS Rookie of the Year honors in 2014. Akindele appeared in 28 matches a year ago with 22 starts, adding two assists to his 10 finishes.
Prior to his time with the Lions, Akindele had spent his first five seasons in Major League Soccer under Pareja at FC Dallas, drafted sixth-overall in 2014 out of Colorado School of Mines. While in Dallas he appeared in the MLS Cup Playoffs three-consecutive years beginning in 2014 and hoisted a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy in 2016 as well as the MLS Supporters’ Shield. Through five seasons with the Toros, Akindele appeared in 142 matches with 71 starts, scoring 27 goals and recording eight assists.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC forward Tesho Akindele signs contract extension through 2021 including options available for 2022 and 2023 MLS seasons.
