Position: Defender
Birthdate: 12/21/2001
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
Previous Club: FC Cincinnati
College: Bowling Green State University
Height: 6-3
Joey Akpunonu (APP-ah-no-nu) enters his second season with the Battery after being first signed to the club in January 2025.
Akpunonu, 24, blossomed into a key fixture in the Battery’s back line in 2025, logging the most minutes played (2,288) among the club’s defenders in 32 appearances across all competitions.
In the regular season and playoffs, Akpunonu led the team in clearances (141) and blocks (26), in addition to recording one goal, 10 interceptions, 14 tackles won and 79 duels won.
Prior to the Battery, Akpunonu spent two seasons with FC Cincinnati after being drafted 22nd overall in the SuperDraft and signed as a Generation adidas player. Akpunonu split time with the first team and FC Cincinnati 2 in his rookie season and made his MLS debut on June 24, 2023.
The 6-3 center-back spent 2024 on loan with USL Championship side Hartford Athletic and MLS NEXT Pro club Huntsville City FC. Akpunonu featured in 15 matches with Hartford, recording one assist, and eight games with Huntsville, recording one assist. Among Akpunonu’s most memorable performances came against the Battery, when he made two goal-line clearances in quick succession at Trinity Health Stadium.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Akpunonu enjoyed a successful and decorated collegiate career at Bowling Green State University. Akpunonu was an Academic All-America First Team honoree, two-time All-MAC and Academic All-MAC selection, and BGSU Male Athlete of the Year winner before becoming the school’s first player selected in the SuperDraft.
Akpunonu also competed with USL League Two side Toledo Villa FC in 2020 and 2021 while at Bowling Green.
