NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 7, 2021) – Nashville Soccer Club announced today that the club has acquired 23-year-old Aké Loba via a transfer from C.F. Monterrey of Liga MX. In addition, Nashville SC trades $230,000 in General Allocation Money with the Portland Timbers for an international roster spot.

Loba, who is set to join Nashville SC through the 2023 campaign with an option to be extended through 2024 as a Designated Player, will be available for selection upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa.

“Aké is an exciting attacking prospect that offers the qualities that our team looks for in a striker, he is a constant goal threat and has the ability to create and finish in a number of different ways,” said Nashville SC General Manager Mike Jacobs. “We are excited to be able to add him to this group, and about what he represents for our club.”

Loba arrived in Monterrey in January 2020 from Universidad San Martín de Porres in Peru after his loan with Querétaro FC expired. As a member of Rayados, Loba registered 795 minutes, while scoring seven goals in all competitions.

In the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Quarterfinals on April 28, the versatile attacker proved his scoring instinct against the 2020 MLS Cup Champions Columbus Crew by netting the opening goal in a 2-2 draw in the first leg.

The native of the Ivory Coast made his professional debut in the Société Omnisports de l’Armée of his country’s First Division before joining Universidad San Martín de Porres. Following his Peruvian debut as a 19-year-old, Loba made 32 appearances across all competitions, scoring 18 goals and registering six assists in the 2018 season.

After a very successful campaign, Loba was loaned to Querétaro FC of Liga MX where he registered 41 appearances, 11 goals and two assists before moving to Monterrey.

At the international level, Loba has earned four caps for the Ivory Coast U-20 Men’s National Team as they earned a second-place finish in the Toulón Esperanzas Tournament in 2017. In that Final, Loba scored the game-tying goal against England in a contest that ended in a penalty shootout.

COURTESY NASHVILLE SC COMMUNICATIONS