Mouloud Akloul

PROFILE
An experienced centre back, Mouloud Akloul joined Whitecaps FC's Major League Soccer roster on Mar. 31, 2011, after initially joining the club during the 2010 USSF D-2 Pro League season. The native of Lorient, France, made the switch to North American professional soccer following spells in France, Algeria, and the United Arab Emirates.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
2011: After spending nearly a year recovering from a broken ankle, Akloul made his MLS debut for Whitecaps FC in central midfield when he replaced Nizar Khalfan late in the second half of a 3-1 defeat at Houston Dynamo on Apr. 10. His first start of the season also came in central midfield, as Whitecaps FC won 1-0 at North American Soccer League side Montreal Impact in the first leg of their Nutrilite Canadian Championship semifinal series on Apr. 27. Akloul then scored his first goal of the season in extra time of Whitecaps FC's 1-1 home draw with Montreal Impact in the second leg of their Nutrilite Canadian Championship semifinal series on May 4. The centre back's goal earned Whitecaps FC a 2-1 aggregate victory over Montreal in the two-match series.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER RESERVE LEAGUE
2011: Akloul made his MLS Reserve League debut at centre back, as Whitecaps FC reserves drew 1-1 at home to Chivas USA reserves on Apr. 17.

UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION DIVISION-2 PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE
2010: After signing with Whitecaps FC on Apr. 8, 2010, Akloul made his Vancouver debut versus Athletic Club of St. Louis on Apr. 24. Unfortunately, after scoring the match-winning goal, the centre back was stretchered off midway through the first half of the 1-0 home win with a fracture to his left ankle. As a result, the centre back was sidelined for more than five months with the injury. The defender was then able to return in Vancouver's regular season finale, as he replaced fellow centre back Luca Bellisomo during a 2-2 home draw versus Portland Timbers on Oct. 2. Despite being sidelined for much of his first season with the club, Akloul received the Whitecaps FC Blue & White Award for his tireless efforts in giving back to the community. The centre back volunteered and participated in club and community initiatives beyond the regular call of duty during the year.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
2008-09: Prior to his move to Vancouver, Akloul spent a season in the Middle East when he joined Al-Ittihad Kalba of the second-tier United Arab Emirates (UAE) Football League Division 1. The defender started all but four of his 27 league appearances for the club, scoring two goals in the process. He also scored one goal in Al-Ittihad's two matches in the UAE President's Cup that season.

ALGERIAN CHAMPIONNAT NATIONAL
2007-08: The centre back was named Defender of the Year in Algeria's second-tier Championnat National Division Two after a fine campaign with Mouloudia Olympique de Béjaïa (MOB). With MOB, Akloul started all but three of his 34 league appearances, while he scored one goal in five Coupe Nationale d'Algerie matches for the club. 2006-07: After playing in the lower divisions of French soccer, Akloul moved to North Africa when he signed for Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie (JSK) in Algeria's top-flight Championnat National Division One. The centre back scored seven goals for JSK that season, as they finished two points short of winning their 14th Division One title. He also started in all five of JSK's matches in the Coupe Nationale d'Algerie (Algerian Cup).

FRANCE
2005-06: Playing in France's Championnat National (third division), the defender scored two goals during his final season at Vannes OC, with the Brittany-based outfit finishing 12th in the league standings. He also started the club's four matches in the Coupe de France that year. 2004-05: After three seasons of reserve team soccer, Akloul moved to nearby Vannes Olympique Club (Vannes OC) in the fourth-tier Championnat de France Amateur (CFA). The defender started all but one of his club's 34 league appearances, as Vannes OC won promotion to the French third division. He also started all four of the club's matches in the Coupe de France (French Cup). For his efforts, the centre back won Vannes OC's Player of the Year honour. 2003-04: Akloul started all but four of his 32 appearances during his final season with FC Lorient reserves. 2002-03: The centre back scored three times during his second season with FC Lorient reserves. 2001-02: After coming through the club's youth system, Akloul played his first season with the reserve team of FC Lorient Bretagne Sud. The defender started all but four of his 32 appearances for his hometown club that year.

INTERNATIONAL
U-17: In 1999 and 2000, Akloul was a member of the French U-17 national team.

HIGH SCHOOL/AMATEUR
Akloul began his soccer career with hometown club Lorient-Sports before joining the youth academy at FC Lorient Bretagne Sud as a 13-year-old. As a student, the defender attended Collège Saint-Joseph, Lycées Notre Dame de la Paix, and École René-Guy Cadou in his hometown of Lorient, France.

PERSONAL
Akloul was born and raised in the seaport commune of Lorient, which is based in the region of Brittany in northwest France. Through his family, the centre back is a dual citizen of both France and Algeria. His parents are Fawzia and Salah Akloul. He has two sisters named Amel and Naïma, and two brothers named Ahcene and Hocine.

INTERESTING FACTS
When not concentrating on his professional soccer career, Akloul enjoys playing badminton and swimming, while he is also an avid reader. His favourite music includes rhythm & blues, and the recordings of French hip hop artist 'Soprano'. Akloul is a fan of Spanish giants Barcelona and French Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille. His favourite player is former Juventus, Real Madrid, and France star Zinedine Zidane.