Akol Akon
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Akol Diang Diang Mabuoch Akon | ||
| Date of birth | May 21, 2009 | ||
| Place of birth | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Positions | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Sydney FC | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Western Sydney Wanderers | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2025– | Sydney FC | 14 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2024– | Australia U17 | 13 | (3) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Akol Diang Diang Mabuoch Akon (born 21 May 2009) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a winger and forward for Sydney FC in the A-League Men. A product of the Western Sydney Wanderers FC academy, he signed his first professional contract with Sydney FC in June 2025.[1]
Early life
Akon was born on 21 May 2009 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He is of South Sudanese descent and grew up in St Marys, in Western Sydney. He began playing football at the age of four. He is a supporter of FC Barcelona, due to his favourite player being Neymar.[2]
Club career
Sydney FC
Akon made his senior debut for Sydney FC in the 2025–26 A-League Men season, going on to make appearances across multiple competitions. On 31 January 2026, he delivered a standout performance in the Sydney derby, recording three assists in a 4–1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers.[3]
With the mid-season departure of manager Ufuk Talay, Akon would establish himself as a key member of Sydney FC's starting eleven under Patrick Kisnorbo. At the age of 16 Years and 346 Days, Akon set the record for the youngest ever player to start an A-League Men finals series game after featuring in Sydney FC's elimination final win against Melbourne Victory on 2 May 2026. In the second leg of the 2025-26 A-League Semi Final against Premiers Newcastle Jets FC, Akon's shot on target would lead directly to the key goal to be scored by teammate Piero Quispe to help Sydney FC progress to the Grand Final.
International career
Akon has represented Australia at youth international level, most notably scoring a first-half hat-trick for the Australia national under-17 football team in a 4–0 victory over Saudi Arabia at the Hattrick U17 International Tournament in the United Arab Emirates in 2025.[2]
Playing style
Akon is capable of playing across the front line — on either wing or through the centre — and is known for his pace, directness, and ability to take on defenders. Former Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay has described him as having "that natural instinct in the final third, a willingness to take players on and create something out of nothing."[2]
Career statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sydney FC | 2025–26 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia U17 | 2024–25 | 6 | 0 |
References
- ^ "'Generational talent': how Sydney landed teen wonderkid". AAP News. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
- ^ a b c "Sydney FC Sign Australia's Hottest Young Forward". Sydney FC. 12 June 2025.
- ^ "'Fearless' 16-year-old vindicates Sydney's faith". AAP News. 31 January 2026. Retrieved 18 May 2026.