Midfielder Yann Ekra Signs with Independence for 2016 Season
December 15, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release
Midfielder Yann Ekra with the Harrisburg City Islanders
(Charlotte Independence)
CHARLOTTE, NC - The Charlotte Independence today announced its first new player signing for the 2016 season, welcoming four-year USL veteran Yann Ekra to the Queen City.
Ekra, a 25-year-old midfielder, spent the past four seasons with the Harrisburg City Islanders, recording 13 goals and 13 assists in 95 appearances. Following an impressive 2013 campaign that saw Harrisburg reach the USL PRO playoffs, Ekra was acquired by the club's MLS affiliate, the Philadelphia Union. However, he did not appear in a regular-season game for the Union and returned to the City Islanders for another two years. During the 2015 season Ekra tallied two goals and three assists in 2,085 minutes.
"I am very excited to add Yann to our club," said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. "Yann was a top off-season priority, as he is the box-to-box midfielder we coveted. His strength holding the ball is tops in the league, while his passing and movement will lead to chances. In addition, he can get on the end of plays and finish when in front of goal. Yann also provides strength and physicality in midfield defensively, as he is capable of winning balls and starting counterattacks. Yann provides us a presence in the center of the field, as well as a dangerous, attacking option from the center of midfield."
A native of Ivory Coast, Ekra spent several years playing in Europe before transitioning to the USL. He began his professional career in 2008 with French club Lyon, then played the first part of 2009 with Premier League's Hull City before heading to Greece to join Panionios. Ekra returned to France in 2011, playing for Châteauroux in Ligue 2, France's second division. He signed with the City Islanders in 2012 following an Open Tryout with the club.
Ekra's signing follows Monday's announcement that Jorge Herrera, Tomasz Zahorski and Jack Metcalf will each return for a second season in Charlotte.
Additional player signings will be announced in the coming weeks as the Independence receives registration approval from US Soccer. Training Camp will begin in February, following an Open Tryout on Feb. 18. The USL season will kick off in late March.
Images from this story
 Midfielder Yann Ekra with the Harrisburg City Islanders |
United Soccer League Championship Stories from December 15, 2015
- Ilich Returns for 2016 USL Season - Orange County SC
- Sacramento Republic FC to Host U.S. Women's National Team Watch Party - Sacramento Republic FC
- Midfielder Yann Ekra Signs with Independence for 2016 Season - Charlotte Independence
- Hammerheads Add Local Talent - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Sacramento Republic FC Re-Sign Agustin Cazarez, Exercise Option on Adnan Gabeljic - Sacramento Republic FC
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