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Watts led CITY2 in assists during inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season
St Louis CITY2 midfielder Akil Watts has signed a one-year MLS contract beginning in 2023 with a team option for 2024, 2025 and 2026 the club announced today.
“It makes me proud to see a player like Akil who worked hard with CITY2, earn a spot on the MLS roster,” said Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel. “Over the course of the MLS NEXT Pro season he has proven that he has what it takes to compete at the next level, and so we look forward to seeing how he contributes to the first team.”
Watts, 22, has made 24 appearances (23 starts) for CITY2, finishing the season with seven assists, the most on CITY2 and fourth most in MLS NEXT Pro. The former U.S Youth National player scored six goals, which was tied for second on CITY2 and logged the team’s second most minutes throughout the season with 2053.
Prior to joining CITY2, Watts spent a year with Spanish side RCD Mallorca before signing with Louisville City FC in the USL Championship.
For country, Watts featured in 17 games for the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team at the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he was coached by current CITY2 Head Coach John Hackworth.
TRANSACTION: St Louis CITY2 midfielder Akil Watts signed a one-year MLS contract beginning in 2023 with a team option for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
AKIL WATTS
Pronunciation: Ah-Keel Watts
Position: Midfielder
DOB: February 4, 2000 (22)
Birthplace: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 175 lbs
Nationality: USA
Last Club: St. Louis CITY2
2023 St. Louis CITY SC ROSTER (18)
Goalkeeper (1) – Roman Bürki
Defenders (7) - Center back: Jonathan Bell, Kyle Hiebert, Joakim Nilsson, Tim Parker, Josh Yaro; Wing back: John Nelson, Selmir Pidro
Midfielders (8)- Winger: Rasmus Alm, Aziel Jackson, Tomáš Ostrák, Isak Jensen, Jared Stroud, Indiana Vassilev; Central Mid: Eduard Löwen, Akil Watts
Forward (2) – João Klauss, Nico Gioacchini
Designated Players (2) – Eduard Löwen, João Klauss
