Yann Ekra

Yann Ekra

Ekra with Charlotte Independence in 2017
Personal information
Full name	Yann Ekra
Date of birth	(1990-10-12) 12 October 1990 (age 33)
Place of birth	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Striker, second striker, winger
Team information
Current team	Tampa Bay Rowdies
Number	7
Youth career
2000–2002	Esperance Paris 19ème
2002–2008	Lyon B
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2007–2008	Lyon B	2	(1)
2008–2010	Hull City	0	(0)
2009	→ Panionios (loan)	0	(0)
2010–2012	Châteauroux	0	(0)
2012–2013	Harrisburg City Islanders	45	(10)
2012–2013	Harrisburg Heat (indoor)	11	(7)
2013	Philadelphia Union	0	(0)
2014–2015	Harrisburg City Islanders	54	(3)
2016–2018	Charlotte Independence	69	(3)
2019–	Tampa Bay Rowdies	116	(3)
International career
	France U15
	France U16
	France U17
	France U18
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:46, 21 October 2023 (UTC)

Yann Ekra (born 10 December 1990) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship. Born in Ivory Coast, he is a former France youth international.

Club career

Lyon

Ekra began his youth career with Esperance Paris 19ème at the age of 11. He joined Lyon at the age of 12.^[1] His roommate for several years was Karim Benzema.^[2] Ekra played two games and scored one goal for Lyon's reserve team in the 2007–08 season.^[3]

Hull City

Ekra signed with Hull City at the beginning of the 2008–09 season.^[4] In the 2009–10 season, he played 7 games for the reserve team, but did not score.^{[citation needed]}

To further his career, Ekra joined Greek side Panionios on loan in January 2009 until the end of the season.^[5][6][7] He played for the club's under-21 side. He did not play any first team games^[8] although he made the gameday roster in a Super League Greece game in which Panionios beat Asteras Tripoli 4–3 on 26 April 2009.^[9]

On 29 May 2010, Ekra was released by Hull.^[10]

Châteauroux

For the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons, Ekra played in France on the reserve team of Châteauroux.^[11]

Harrisburg City Islanders

While visiting his in-laws in Washington D.C. in the Spring of 2012, Ekra attended an open tryout with Harrisburg City Islanders of USL Pro.^[12] Following a strong performance in preseason scrimmages in which Ekra scored three goals in three games,^[13] he signed with the team. He made his debut on 4 May 2012 in 2–1 loss to the Charlotte Eagles.^[14] In his first start on 19 May 2012 against Dayton Dutch Lions, Ekra scored a hat trick on his first three shots.^[12] In the 2012 regular season, he played 21 regular season games – scoring 6 goals and assisting on 1 goal. He also played 3 U.S. Open Cup games – scoring 1 goal and assisting on 3 goals. He also played in one playoff game. In the 2013 regular season, he played 24 regular season games – scoring 4 goals and assisting on 3 goals. He also played in one playoff game and one U.S. Open Cup game.^{[citation needed]}

After the 2012 season, Ekra trialed with D.C. United of Major League Soccer.^[15]

Harrisburg Heat (Indoor)

In 2012–13, Ekra played his first season of indoor soccer with the Harrisburg Heat of the Professional Arena Soccer League.^[16] He made his debut on 3 November 2012 in a 6–2 loss to the Dallas Sidekicks. His most productive performance was a 2 goal, 3 assist performance in a 10–8 loss against the Chicago Mustangs.^[17] He finished the season playing 11 games, scoring 7 goals and assisting on 8 goals.^[18]

Philadelphia Union

On 13 September 2013, Ekra signed with the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.^[19][20] In 2012, Ekra had been productive against Philadelphia – scoring a goal in a 12 June 2012 friendly in which Harrisburg City Islanders won,^[21] getting 2 assists in a 26 June 2012 5–2 U.S. Open Cup loss to the Union^[22] as well as playing as a guest player and assisting on the only goal in a D.C. United 1–0 reserve league win over the Union on 12 October 2012.^[23] He did not appear for the club and was released at the end of the 2013 season.^{[citation needed]}

Return to Harrisburg City Islanders

In March 2014, Ekra returned to Harrisburg City Islanders.^[24]

Charlotte Independence

Ekra signed with the Charlotte Independence in December 2015.^[25]

Tampa Bay Rowdies

On 7 December 2018, Ekra moved to the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship ahead of their 2019 season.^[26]

International career

Ekra played on national youth teams for France at the U15, U16, U17 and U18 levels.^[27] He played on the U17 team that won the Disney Soccer Showcase in 2005.^[28][29][30]

References

External links

• Yann Ekra at Soccerway
• Yann Ekra at FootballDatabase.eu
• Yann Ekra at Major League Soccer
• Ekra Yann at ESPN FC
• Tabelepilkarskie profile
• Yann Ekra at USL Championship

This page was last edited on 6 November 2023, at 20:31