STATESBORO, Ga. - South Georgia Tormenta FC and EFL League One side Burton Albion FC have agreed to a record-breaking transfer for 25-year-old defender Nick Akoto. Terms of the transfer agreement will remain confidential, and the transaction is pending league and federation approval. The Brewers have signed Akoto to a three-year deal.

Akoto's move marks the first paid international transfer in USL League One history, and the fee received by Tormenta FC breaks the current record received by Union Omaha from Minnesota United FC for the transfer of Ryen Jiba in January 2023.

"Like many of our players, Tormenta FC aimed to be Nick's first club but not his last. The plan was for him to develop within our club, and when the time was right, to be sold up the pyramid," South Georgia Head Coach Ian Cameron said. "Our fans will be sad to lose his qualities on the field, but the growing light on EFL League One now makes it easier than ever to watch his games, and we wish him every success in Burton Albion FC's promotion endeavors."

"In just a few short years, Darin Van Tassell and South Georgia Tormenta FC have been able to establish an impressive player development model which is now paying real dividends for the club," said USL Head of Global Football Development & Sporting Director Oliver Wyss. "Tormenta FC has become a model club in USL League One and has established itself as a key player in the USL's broader integration into the global transfer market, which is evident in the milestone transfer of Nick Akoto to a respected European league."

Akoto was born in Miami and grew up in London and initially developed with the youth teams of AFC Wimbledon, helping the Dons progress to the Fifth Round of the 2016–17 FA Youth Cup. The defender also played with Isthmian League sides Maldon & Tiptree FC (2017-18) and Whyteleafe FC (2018).

In 2019, Akoto returned to the United States to play collegiately with NAIA schools Tennessee Wesleyan University (2019-20) and Keiser University (2021-22), guiding the latter to the 2021 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship. Across his four collegiate seasons, Akoto combined for five goals and 15 assists with the Bulldogs and Seahawks.

During his time in college, Akoto spent his summers developing in USL League Two with the Ocean City Nor'easters (2021) and South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 (2022). Between both League Two sides, Akoto amassed one goal and one assist in 1,475 minutes of action and helped the Nor'easters advance to the 2021 USL League Two Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals.

After spending the 2022 USL League Two season with South Georgia's affiliate team, Akoto was signed to his first professional contract with South Georgia's first team in January 2023. Since then, Akoto has accumulated three goals and five assists in 50 professional appearances with South Georgia Tormenta FC's first team across USL League One, USL Jägermeister Cup and U.S. Open Cup play.

Recognized as a USL League One Team of the Week member on six occasions during his time in Statesboro, Ga., Akoto enjoyed a productive debut professional season in 2023. Among all defenders in regular season play a year ago, Akoto finished first with 185 duels won and 42 dribbles completed and third with 33 chances created.

"This was one of those things where I didn't think it was going to happen until it really happened," Akoto said. "This is just one of those really exciting moments in my career, and I am excited to get there and just kick on."

"We knew from the moment we recruited Nick to the Tormenta FC 2 team that he was a gem," South Georgia President and Co-Owner Darin Van Tassell said. "Our club will miss him greatly, but we are incredibly honored to bear witness to his development on and off the pitch these past few years and are thrilled to cheer him on in his next chapter. Developing players to their highest potential is the cornerstone on which we built this club, and Nick is our shining example of this pathway."

Akoto's move overseas highlights an emerging pattern across South Georgia Tormenta FC's men's, women's and youth teams. The nearly decade-old club has played a key role in the development of players such as Newcastle United WFC's Amy Andrews, St. Louis CITY SC's Indiana Vassilev, Brooklyn FC's Sydney Martinez, D.C. United's Conner Antley, and New Mexico United's Marco Micaletto, among several others.

As Akoto joins Burton Albion, he also reunites with his former coach, Mark Robinson, who was on the technical staff while Akoto played with AFC Wimbledon's youth teams during the 2017-18 season and is the Brewers' current manager.

"We are pleased to welcome Nick to the club," said Burton Albion Sporting Director Bendik Hareide. "He's a promising right back with a solid skill set. His defensive abilities and support in attack will be a valuable addition to our team. We look forward to seeing his contributions this season."