Premier League side Bournemouth has officially announced the signing of American-born Nigerian central defender Matai Akinmboni from DC United.
While the exact duration of the contract was not disclosed, the club confirmed that the United States U20 international has agreed to a multi-year deal.
Akinmboni first made headlines on September 10, 2022, when he became the youngest player of Nigerian descent to debut in Major League Soccer. At just 15 years and 328 days old, he started for DC United in a match against Real Salt Lake, which ended in a goalless draw.
Bournemouth secured the highly sought-after defender despite competition from several European clubs. Akinmboni previously trained with Bayern Munich, Villarreal, and Swansea City, showcasing his talent to top-tier teams.
The teenager began his professional career with Loudoun United before signing a homegrown contract with DC United, where he made 17 appearances across all competitions.
Simon Francis, Bournemouth’s first-team technical director, expressed excitement about the signing:
“We are delighted to sign Matai to a long-term deal with AFC Bournemouth. He is an exciting young player we have been monitoring for an extended period and have been impressed by his progress. Matai is a player we believe has a very bright future, and we are looking forward to seeing him develop with us.”
The 18-year-old defender, who is eligible to represent both Nigeria and the United States, has Nigerian roots through his parents, Taiye and Abiola Akinmboni, who hail from Idanre in Ondo State and Lagos State, respectively.
Bournemouth’s acquisition of Akinmboni marks a significant addition to their squad and a potential boost for both the Super Eagles and the United States national team.
