PORTLAND, Ore. – T2 today announced the signing of midfielder Akinjide Idowu ahead of the 2016 USL season. Idowu joins the team after helping lead Nigeria to the Round of 16 in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. Idowu will be added to the roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per league and club policy, terms of the transaction were not disclosed.



“Akinjide is an experienced midfielder at the youth international level with a good skill set, and he will have a great opportunity to continue to develop in our system,” said Andrew Gregor, head coach of T2.



Idowu, 19, has featured in over 50 games for Nigeria at the U-17 and U-20 levels, playing a key role in the Flying Eagles advancement to the knockout round of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in June. The midfielder made three starts in the tournament, featuring in matches against Germany, Hungary and North Korea. In 2013, Idowu helped Nigeria win a record fourth FIFA U-17 World Cup title in the United Arab Emirates. Idowu appeared in all six matches for the Nigerian U-17 side during the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, including starting and playing 90 minutes in a 3-0 win over Mexico in the championship match. Idowu also appeared in all six matches at the 2013 Confederation of African Football (CAF) U-17 championship in Morocco.



Prior to joining T2, Idowu was a member of the Nigeria Youth Soccer Academy and conducted trials with Norwegian club Sogndal and Czech side Sparta Prague.



Akinjide Idowu

Pronunciation: a-KIN-gee-day EE-doo-woo

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5-6

Weight: 150

Born: Sept. 9, 1996

Hometown: Kano State, Nigeria

Last Club: Nigeria Youth Soccer Academy (Nigerian U20 National Team)

Citizenship: Nigeria

Acquired: Signed on Jan. 22, 2016