*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:17, 2 November 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:07, 15 October 2024 (UTC)
An academy graduate of FC Winterthur, Akanji's professional career began in 2014, when he made his debut for the then-Swiss Challenge League club, having also previously played for the club's second team. He moved to first tierFC Basel in 2015, where he won consecutive league titles in 2015–16 and 2016–17, the latter of which was a double that included the 2016–17 Swiss Cup. Following his success with Basel, Akanji was sold to Borussia Dortmund during the winter transfer window of 2018. During his stay in the Bundesliga, he helped Dortmund win the 2019 DFL-Supercup and the 2020–21 DFB-Pokal. He joined Manchester City in 2022, winning a continental treble in his first season with the club, as well as numerous other trophies, including one more Premier League title in 2023–24.
Internationally, Akanji represents Switzerland, making his debut for the senior team in 2017 after featuring for the under-20 and under-21 sides. He was a member of Switzerland's squad for two editions of the UEFA European Championship, in 2020 and 2024, as well as two FIFA World Cups, in 2018 and 2022.
Club career
Youth football and early career
Akanji began his youth career with the local club in Wiesendangen. In May 2007, Akanji changed clubs and was a youth-team player for FC Winterthur, featuring for their under-18 team and later with their second team. In the 2014–15 Challenge League, he became a regular starter for Winterthur, having played two games for them during the second half of the previous season.[3]
As Swiss Champions, Basel qualified for the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League and started in the group stage. Akanji played the full 90 minutes in all six games and helped the team finish second in its group, thus qualifying for the knockout phase.[7]
Borussia Dortmund
Akanji signed for Borussia Dortmund on 15 January 2018 during the winter transfer window for a reported fee of €18 million[8] He signed a four-and-a-half-year contract dated until June 2022.[9][10] On 2 February, Akanji made his BVB debut as an 87th minute substitute for André Schürrle in a 3–2 win at 1. FC Köln.[11]
On 27 September 2018, Akanji scored his first goal for the club and his first Bundesliga goal in a 7–0 victory over 1. FC Nürnberg.[12] Akanji was widely criticised for his costly errors during Dortmund's failed challenge to Bayern Munich during the 2019–20 season. Akanji was one of the main players singled out as a weak link in the team.[13]
On 1 September 2022, Akanji joined Premier League champions Manchester City, signing a contract until 2027[15] for a reported fee of £15 million.[16] He made his debut for City five days later, starting in a 4–0 away win over Sevilla in the Champions League group stage.[17] He made his Premier League debut on 17 September, starting in a 3–0 away win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.[18] He was voted the club's Player of the Month for October.[19] On 17 May 2023, he scored his first goal for the club, which was also his first in the Champions League, with a header deflected by Éder Militão in a 4–0 home win over Real Madrid in the semi-final second leg.[20] During the 2022–23 Premier League, Akanji played more minutes than any other Manchester City defender.[21]
On 10 August 2024, Akanji scored the winning penalty as Manchester City defeated Manchester United 7–6 on penalties to win the 2024 FA Community Shield after a 1–1 draw in regular time.[26]
He was included in Switzerland's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and started all four of the team's matches as they reached the round of 16.[28]
In 2021, he was named in the Swiss squad for UEFA Euro 2020.[30] He started all five of Switzerland's matches as they reached the quarter-finals,[31] scoring his kick as the Swiss beat France in a penalty shootout in the round of 16.[32] However, in the quarter-final against Spain, he was one of three Swiss players to miss their spot kicks in the 4–2 penalty shootout loss.[33]
On 24 September 2022, Akanji scored his first senior international goal against Spain in a 2–1 UEFA Nations League victory.[34]
Akanji was a member of the Swiss squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and, on 7 December 2022, he scored the only goal for Switzerland in a 6–1 loss to Portugal in the round of 16.[35]
On 7 June 2024, Akanji was named in Switzerland's squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[36] He played the full match in the team's opening Group A fixture on 15 June, as the Nati defeated Hungary 3–1 in Cologne.[37] He helped Switzerland reach the quarter-finals for a second consecutive European Championship, where his team was eventually eliminated by England on penalties. Akanji took the first spot kick for Switzerland in the shoot-out, which Jordan Pickford saved, and with both teams scoring their remaining penalties, England advanced by winning 5–3.[38] For his performances, Akanji was selected in the Team of the Tournament.[39]
Style of play
Akanji is known for his cultured style of play, which is characterized by his technical ability, composure on the ball, and excellent passing range.[40][41][42] He is also a strong and physical defender who is comfortable in one-on-one situations and is adept at intercepting passes and making tackles.[41][43][44][45]
His ability to read the game and make crucial interceptions as well as his calmness under pressure is well-known among fans of the English Premier League. Akanji's passing ability is also a key part of his game, and he is often involved in building attacks from the back.[41][44][45][46] His long-range passing is particularly noteworthy, and he is capable of playing accurate diagonal balls to switch the play and create space for his teammates.[41][44][46] Due to his passing abilities, Akanji has been deployed as both a left-back and right-back, as well as occasionally a libero, much like teammate John Stones, by City manager Pep Guardiola.[46][47]
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