_(cropped).jpg) Ekra with Charlotte Independence in 2017 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Yann Ekra | ||
| Date of birth | 12 October 1990 | ||
| 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.
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]
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]
For the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons, Ekra played in France on the reserve team of Châteauroux.[11]
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]
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]
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]
In March 2014, Ekra returned to Harrisburg City Islanders.[24]
Ekra signed with the Charlotte Independence in December 2015.[25]
On 7 December 2018, Ekra moved to the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship ahead of their 2019 season.[26]
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]