Commerce City, Colo. – Colorado Rapids confirmed the signing of Sydney FC right winger Akol Akon, the club announced Monday. The 17-year-old will join the club ahead of the 2027-28 MLS season, following his 18th birthday. The contract is four years through 2030-31 with a team option for 2031-31. He technically is on loan with Sydney for the 2026-27 season.
“Akol is a player that has shown both uncommon physical and competitive maturity in his performances in the A league,” said Colorado Rapids Sporting Director Fran Taylor.
“Once he is within our environment, we will be able to develop him in line with our adventurous style of play,” added Head Coach Matt Wells.
Akon joined Sydney FC, turning professional ahead of the 2025-26 A-League season. He made his first team debut August 9, 2025 in the Australia Cup. He became the youngest player to make his senior debut for the club. Last season, he played 15 league games , recording three assists.
He is capped for Australia at the U-17 level.
Looking at his highlights, he’s at his best distributing the ball in space. He likes to dribble then find guys in the box. Or he stays out wide and hits a long ball. He’s similar to Paxten Aaronson in that he’s best a starting attacks with the initial action or distribution. Secondly, he sets up others for scoring opportunities. That might be why he only has three assists in league play.
Analytics wise, he has defensive contributions and chances created better than average for his position. He wins his aerial duels, just like Ibrahim Sadiq. A pressing monster who creates chances. That fits the Rapids. He seems to stay out wide more. Most of Colorado’s wingers like to cut inside. That’s a nice differential.
He did just turn 17 in May. Getting so many minutes at 16 in the A-League is impressive. If there is a concern, he’s so young that don’t know what he is yet physically. Lucas Herrington was already listed at 6’2″ when Colorado signed him. If nothing else you knew he was going to be a huge center back who’s got a decent right foot.
FotMob has his value at $1.2 million. TransferMarkt has it as under $500,000. The A-League has since posted the transfer fee was $2.5 million AUD, equivalent to $1.78 million USD. James Dodd has reported it as $1.5 mill AUD, incentives up to $2.5 total with a sell-on. So around the valuation of Dante Sealy and Georgi Minoungou. Based on precedent, the sell-on clause is probably 10-25%.
Sydney saw what the Rapids did with Brisbane Roar, buying out the clause. So maybe this was a slight overpay for what he is today based on potential and market dynamics. Colorado still has plenty of cash after the sales of Herrington and Rafael Navarro, with base fees of $17 million and $12 million.
Everyone will be comparing him to Herrington. It will be curious to see how he plays this 2026-27 season in Australia. How does that vary given he’ll be leaving the club? What do the Rapids have him start working on or do differently given he’ll be joining them in a year. Let’s see where and how much he plays come 2027-28 given Morgan Whittaker is also primarily a right winger.
Herrington did post a story on Instagram with two fire emojis. Rapids fan and A-League sicko Judgmental Jim likes the kid. Those are two good endorsement. If I was an A-League team and the Rapids called me about a young player, I’d say $5 million USD minimum then hang up the phone.
All signs point to this being another good Australia lottery ticket for the Pids.
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Eamon Shaw 
Spencer Baldwin 