Eric Akoto
Eric Akoto | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 20, 1980 Accra, Ghana |
| Occupation | Professional footballer (retired) |
| Years active | 1998–2011 |
| Known for | Playing as a centre-back for Togo national team and various clubs |
Eric Akoto (born 20 July 1980) is a retired professional footballer who played as a centre-back and acquired Togolese nationality. Although he was born in Ghana, he represented the Togo national football team at the international level.
Club career
Akoto launched his professional journey in 1998 with Ghanaian club Liberty Professionals FC, before relocating to Austria within the same year to join Grazer AK. In 2002, he moved to FK Austria Wien, and two years later, in 2004, he transferred to German side FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt. On 1 June 2005, Akoto returned to Austria, signing for VfB Admira Wacker Mödling, and then rejoined Grazer AK in 2006. The following year, July 2007, saw him move to Slovenia to play for NK Interblock Ljubljana.
In the January 2008 transfer period, Akoto underwent a trial with English Championship club Blackpool. Subsequently, in July 2008, he returned once more to Austria, this time joining Austrian Bundesliga team Kapfenberger SV. The year 2009 featured spells with Israeli outfit Maccabi Ahi Nazareth and Greek club OFI Crete.
July 2010 marked Akoto’s signing with Australian A-League side North Queensland Fury FC, where he operated as a central defender. His stint included an incident where he received a red card during a match involving Melbourne Victory’s Kevin Muscat; North Queensland chose not to appeal the decision. Later, in December 2011, Akoto secured a contract with Maltese club Floriana FC.
International career
Although born in Accra, Ghana, Akoto represented Togo on the international stage. He was selected for Togo's squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where the team was eliminated during the group phase. Additionally, Akoto was present during the attack on the Togo national team bus in 2010.