Kofi Sarkodie


Kofi Kwarteng Frempong Sarkodie is an American soccer player who most recently played for Trelleborgs FF in Allsvenskan.

Career

Youth, College and Amateur

After graduating from the IMG Soccer Academy in 2008, Sarkodie attended the University of Akron. Sarkodie started in all 23 games as a freshman and scored in his very first game against Notre Dame, he was awarded Soccer America All-Freshman first team honoree and First Team All-MAC. During his sophomore year, he won First Team CoSIDA Academic All-America, MAC Academic Team. He was also awarded First Team All-MAC for the second year in a row. Sarkodie had a breakout year in 2010. On October 19, 2010, he recorded his first career hat trick against the University of Michigan. He finished with eight goals and six assists on the way to a College Cup championship for the Akron Zips. Sarkodie was awarded ESPN Academic All-America of the Year, NSCAA All-America First Team, Soccer America Player of the Year, Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Season First Team, College Soccer News All-America First Team, College Cup Most Outstanding Defensive Player, College Cup All-Tournament Team, and his third straight First Team All-MAC.
While in college, Sarkodie was also a member of the Michigan Bucks of the USL Premier Development League but he never made an appearance for the club.

Professional

On January 13, 2011, Sarkodie was drafted in the first round by the Houston Dynamo in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. He made his professional debut on March 25, 2011 in a game against Seattle Sounders FC. He scored his first professional goal against D.C. United in the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs. On April 1, 2016, it was announced that Sarkodie would be traded to the San Jose Earthquakes, reuniting him with former Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear. Sarkodie was released by San Jose on November 27, 2017.
On July 13, 2018, Sarkodie signed with Swedish Allsvenskan club Trelleborgs FF. He left the club again at the end of 2018.

International

Sarkodie was a member of the U.S. U-17 in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He also played for the U-20 national team.

Honors

University of Akron

Kofi is brother to fellow soccer players Kwame Sarkodie and Ofori Sarkodie.