Kevin Lokko

Kevin Adom Lokko (born 3 November 1995) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for League Two club Harrogate Town.

Kevin Adom Lokko
Personal information
Full name Kevin Adom Lokko[1]
Date of birth (1995-11-03) 3 November 1995
Place of birth Whitechapel, England[2]
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Harrogate Town
Number 26
Youth career
2012–2014 Norwich City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2015 Colchester United 0 (0)
2015–2016 Welling United 38 (1)
2016–2017 Maidstone United 41 (4)
2017–2018 Stevenage 2 (0)
2017–2018 → Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 25 (2)
2018 → Dover Athletic (loan) 12 (1)
2018–2020 Dover Athletic 66 (9)
2020– Harrogate Town 1 (0)
National team
2017 England C 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:43, 7 May 2020 (UTC)

Lokko began his career at Norwich City's academy, where he spent two years as an academy scholar and was part of the FA Youth Cup winning side during the 2012–13 season. He was released in May 2014 and joined Colchester United four months later, although injury meant he did not make any first-team appearances during his one season with the Essex club. Lokko gained his first experience of regular first-team football when he signed for National League side Welling United ahead of the 2015–16 season. He spent one year at Welling before joining another National League club in the form of Maidstone United in June 2016. After one season at Maidstone, Lokko signed for Stevenage in August 2017. He was immediately loaned to Dagenham & Redbridge before returning to Stevenage in February 2018, then joining Dover Athletic on loan later that month. Lokko joined Dover on a permanent basis in June 2018. Lokko became captain at Dover before joining Harrogate Town in 2020.

Club career

Early career

Lokko joined Norwich City's academy at the age of 15, signing a two-year deal as an academy scholar in the summer of 2012.[3] He spent two years playing regularly for Norwich's U18 side and was part of the FA Youth Cup winning side during the 2012–13 season.[4] Lokko was released by the club upon the expiry of his scholarship contract in May 2014.[5] After being released by Norwich, Lokko went on trial at Colchester United in July 2014, playing in several U21 matches as well as in the first-team's final pre-season friendly ahead of the 2014–15 season.[6] The trial period proved successful and Lokko signed a one-year deal on 19 August 2014, with the club stating he would join up with the U21 side.[6] Although he began to train with the first-team, and was an unused substitute in two first-team matches in the opening months of the season,[7][8] Lokko sustained a hip injury that kept him out of action for five months and did not make any first-team appearances during the season.[2] He was released when his contract expired in May 2015.[2][9]

Welling United

Ahead of the 2015–16 season, on 20 July 2015, Lokko signed a one-year deal with National League side Welling United.[10] The move came about after Lokko had played in the club's opening two pre-season fixtures and was offered a contract following the trial.[11] He made his debut for Welling in the club's first game of the season on 8 August 2015, playing the whole match in a 1–0 victory over Guiseley at Park View Road.[12] Lokko scored his first competitive goal in Welling's 2–1 home win over Woking on 28 March 2016, his first-half header proving decisive in helping Welling end their 23-game winless run.[13] He was a mainstay in the centre of defence throughout the campaign, making 42 appearances in all competitions, scoring once,[14] in what would serve as Lokko's breakthrough season of regular first-team football.[2] Lokko left the club when his contract expired in May 2016.[2]

Maidstone United

Lokko subsequently signed for National League club Maidstone United on a free transfer on 3 June 2016.[15] He rejected several offers from other National League sides prior to signing for Maidstone,[9] stating he had "done his research" and was impressed by Maidstone's three promotions in four years under manager Jay Saunders.[9] Lokko made his Maidstone debut in a 1–1 home draw with York City on the opening day of the 2016–17 season.[16] He scored his first goal for the club at the end of that month, netting an injury-time winner in a 1–0 "smash and grab" away victory at Boreham Wood on 29 August 2016.[17] Lokko scored twice in Maidstone's comfortable 4–2 win against Chester at the Gallagher Stadium on 18 February 2017,[18] both of Lokko's goals coming in the first half of the match.[18] He also scored in another 4–2 home win two weeks later, this time against Southport.[19] Lokko's goal was Maidstone's fourth of the match, he brought the ball down from a high free-kick and then swivelled before "sending a fine finish into the far side of the net".[20] He was almost ever-present during his one season at Maidstone, making 46 appearances in all competitions and scoring four times.[2][21]

Stevenage

Four days before the start of the 2017–18 season, on 2 August 2017, Lokko signed for League Two side Stevenage for an undisclosed fee, joining the Hertfordshire club on a two-year deal.[22][23] The move came about when Stevenage triggered a buyout clause in Lokko's contract after several other clubs had also shown interest in the player.[24] Just two days after joining Stevenage, Lokko was loaned out to Dagenham & Redbridge of the National League on a season-long loan deal, in order for him to continue to gain first-team experience.[25] Lokko made his Dagenham debut in the club's 2–1 home win against Barrow on 5 August 2017 and was awarded Man of the Match for his performance.[3][26] He scored in consecutive games at the end of August in home fixtures against Ebbsfleet United and Bromley respectively.[27][28] He was a regular in the centre of defence during his time at Dagenham, scoring two goals in 28 appearances in all competitions.[29]

Lokko was recalled by Stevenage at the start of February 2018,[30] with Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace revealing that several transfer deadline day deals gave the club the opportunity to recall Lokko and ensure he was "integrated in the squad on a daily basis ready for next season".[31] He made his debut for the club as an 85th-minute substitute in the club's 3–1 away defeat at Forest Green Rovers on 13 February 2018.[32] A week after making his Stevenage debut, Lokko was loaned out to National League side Dover Athletic for the remainder of the 2017–18 campaign, Stevenage retaining an option to recall Lokko after 28 days if necessary.[33] He made his debut for Dover in a 3–1 away loss at AFC Fylde on 24 February 2018, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute in the match.[34] Lokko went on to make 12 appearances during the loan spell, scoring once,[29] before returning to Stevenage at the end of the season where he was made available for transfer.[35]

Dover Athletic

Lokko signed for Dover Athletic on a permanent basis on 27 June 2018, joining the club for an undisclosed fee.[36] He made his second debut at Dover in the club's first match of the 2018–19 season, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 defeat to Wrexham on 4 August 2018.[37][38] Lokko scored his first goal of the campaign three days later,[37] briefly giving Dover the lead from close-range in an eventual 2–2 draw with Bromley.[39] He went on to play 42 times during his first full season at Dover, scoring six goals from defence, as the club ended the season nine games unbeaten to finish in 14th place in the National League.[37][40][41]

Harrogate Town

On 14 August 2020, Lokko signed for Harrogate Town on a two-year contract.[42] He scored on his debut for the club in an EFL Trophy tie against Grimsby Town on 8 September 2020.[43]

International career

Lokko was called up to the England C team, who represent England at non-league level, for their two fixtures in May 2017.[44] He made his England C debut on 28 May 2017, playing the full match in a 2–1 win over Panjab FA at Damson Park.[45] Two days later, he once again played the whole 90 minutes in a 1–1 draw with Jersey FA.[46]

Personal life

Born in England, Lokko is of Ghanaian descent.[47]

Career statistics
As of match played 7 March 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Colchester United 2014–15[2] League One 0000000000
Welling United 2015–16[2][14] National League 38130—1[lower-alpha 1]0421
Maidstone United 2016–17[2][21] National League 41430—2[lower-alpha 1]0464
Stevenage 2017–18[29] League Two 20—000020
Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 2017–18[2][29] National League 25220—1[lower-alpha 1]0282
Dover Athletic (loan) 2017–18[2][29] National League 121———121
Dover Athletic 2018–19[37][40] National League 39620—1[lower-alpha 1]0426
2019–20 [2][48] National League 27310—1[lower-alpha 1]1294
Total 781030—218311
Career total 18417110006120118
  1. Appearance(s) in the FA Trophy

References
  1. "The Football League Retained List". English Football league. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  2. "Soccerway – Kevin Lokko". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  3. "Flown From the Nest – Kevin Lokko". Flown From the Nest. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  4. "FA Youth Cup final: Norwich beat Chelsea 4–2 on aggregate". BBC Sport. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  5. "Academy trio awarded pro deals". Norwich City F.C. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  6. "Lokko signs up". Colchester United F.C. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  7. "Swindon Town 2–2 Colchester United". Soccerway. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  8. "Colchester United 1–2 Port Vale". Soccerway. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  9. "New Maidstone United defender Kevin Lokko had a pick of National League clubs to choose from after leaving Welling United". Kent Online. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  10. "George Porter and Kevin Lokko sign". Welling United F.C. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  11. "Welling United sign George Porter and Kevin Lokko". Kent Online. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  12. "Welling United 1–0 Guiseley". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  13. "Welling United 2–1 Woking". BBC Sport. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  14. "Games played by Kevin Lokko in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  15. "Stones secure Lokko". Maidstone United F.C. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  16. "Maidstone United 1–1 York City". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  17. "Boreham Wood 0–1 Maidstone United". Maidstone United F.C. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  18. "Maidstone United 4–2 Chester". BBC Sport. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  19. "Maidstone United 4–2 Southport". BBC Sport. 4 March 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  20. "Maidstone United 4–2 Southport – Match Report". Maidstone United F.C. 4 March 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  21. "Games played by Kevin Lokko in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  22. "New Signing: Kevin Lokko signs from Maidstone". Stevenage F.C. 2 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  23. "Kevin Lokko: Stevenage sign Maidstone United defender". BBC Sport. 2 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  24. "Lokko leaves the Stones". Maidstone United F.C. 2 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  25. "Kevin Lokko: Dagenham & Redbridge sign Stevenage defender on loan". BBC Sport. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  26. "Dagenham & Redbridge 2–1 Barrow". BBC Sport. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  27. "Dagenham & Redbridge 3–3 Ebbsfleet United". BBC Sport. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  28. "Dagenham & Redbridge 5–1 Bromley". BBC Sport. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  29. "Games played by Kevin Lokko in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  30. "Kevin Lokko recalled from Dagenham loan". Stevenage F.C. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  31. "Phil Wallace's inside story on the January Transfer Window". Stevenage F.C. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  32. "Forest Green Rovers 3–1 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  33. "Kevin Lokko joins Dover Athletic on loan". Stevenage F.C. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  34. "AFC Fylde 3–1 Dover Athletic". BBC Sport. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  35. "Player meetings concluded – retained/released list available". Stevenage F.C. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  36. "Kevin Lokko: Dover sign defender from Stevenage on permanent deal". BBC Sport. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  37. "Games played by Kevin Lokko in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  38. "Dover Athletic 0–1 Wrexham". BBC Sport. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  39. "Bromley 2–2 Dover Athletic". BBC Sport. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  40. "Concord Rangers 0–1 Dover Athletic". Dover Athletic F.C. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  41. "Dover Athletic 3–0 Sutton United". BBC Sport. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  42. "Kevin Lokko: Harrogate Town sign ex-Dover Athletic captain on two-year deal". 14 August 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  43. "Grimsby Town 2–2 Harrogate Town (5–4 on penalties)". grimsby-townfc.co.uk. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  44. "Lokko and Taylor selected for England C". Maidstone United F.C. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  45. "Darren McQueen double earns Non-League Three Lions victory". The FA. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  46. "Jersey FA 1–1 FA XI". The FA. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  47. "Performance of Ghanaian Players Abroad: Yartey sparkles, Ache strikes as Antwi hits brace as 20 players score 23 goals abroad – Ghana Sports Online".
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