BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Bethlehem Steel FC announced on Monday it had sold midfielder Boluwatife Akinyode to North Carolina FC for an undisclosed transfer fee. Per club and league policy, terms of the deal were undisclosed.

Akinyode made 26 appearances during Steel FC’s inaugural season in 2016, earning 24 starts in both the midfield and central defense. In the club’s inaugural season, he racked up the fourth-most minutes for Steel FC, playing more than 2,100 minutes and attempting 13 shots.

Prior to joining Steel FC, Akinyode spent the 2015 USL season with the New York Red Bulls II, where he made 21 appearances and helped the club reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2015 USL Cup Playoffs.