Hanson Boakai

Hanson Boakai
Personal information
Full nameHanson Tamba Boakai
Date of birth28 October 1996
Place of birthTeldou, Nzérékoré Region, Guinea
Height1.62 m (5 ft 4 in)
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current team
FC Edmonton
Number12
Youth career
Xtreme FC
2011–2013FC Edmonton
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2013–FC Edmonton18(0)
National team
2011Canada U151(0)
2013Canada U177(2)
2014–2015Canada U209(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 2, 2014.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of January 23, 2015

Hanson Tamba Boakai (born 28 October 1996) is an Guinea-born Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for FC Edmonton of the North American Soccer League. He currently holds the record for the youngest player ever to appear in a NASL game at the age of 16 years and 231 days, taking the record away from his coach Colin Miller.[1]

Career

Boakai was born to Liberian parents in Teldou,[2] a small southwestern village in Guinea located a short distance from the border with Sierra Leone.[3] He moved to Edmonton, Alberta, when he was seven-years old.[4] Before joining FC Edmonton's reserves, Boakai played for Xtreme FC before then joining Edmonton in 2011 after trying-out with the side.[4]

FC Edmonton

After spending two years with the reserves, Boakai was signed professional by FC Edmonton of the North American Soccer League on 20 February 2013, becoming the youngest player ever signed by an NASL side.[5] On 16 June 2013 Boakai made his professional debut for Edmonton against the Carolina Railhawks in which he came on in the 65th minute for Sadi Jalali and at the same time becoming the youngest ever player to play an NASL game.[1] Edmonton drew the game 1–1.[1]

International

Boakai had played for the Canada U15 soccer side while with the Edmonton reserves.[4] He then played for the Canada U17 during the 2013 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, scoring against Costa Rica U17 and Jamaica U17 sides as Canada managed to make it the semi-finals and thus qualify for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[6][7]

Boakai continued to represent Canada at the U20 level and was a part of the team that traveled to Northern Ireland for the 2014 Milk Cup.[8] After a strong showing for the youth sides, and a continued presence with Edmonton, Canada coach Benito Floro called up Boakai to the senior team for a friendly against Colombia in October 2014.[9] He however, did not play.

Career statistics

As of November 2, 2014[10]
Club Season League Canadian Cup League Cup CONCACAF Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
FC Edmonton 2013 30000030
FC Edmonton 2014 1504100191
Career total 180410000221

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Boakai Becomes Youngest Ever To Play In The NASL". North American Soccer League. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  2. Canada Soccer Profile
  3. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "#12 Hanson Boakai". FC Edmonton. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  4. Sandor, Steve. "FC Edmonton announces signings of five youth prospects". The 11. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  5. "Canada U17 1-1 Costa Rica U17". CONCACAF. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  6. "Canada U17 4-2 Jamaica U17". CONCACAF. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  7. "FC Edmonton's Boakai one to watch for the future". August 7, 2014.
  8. "Canada's squad set for Colombia clash". October 3, 2014.
  9. Hanson Boakai profile at Soccerway

External links