Kevin Lokko

Kevin Adom Lokko (born 3 November 1995) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for National League club Maidenhead United. He 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 team 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 club Welling United ahead of the 2015–16 season.

Kevin Lokko
Personal information
Full name Kevin Adom Lokko[1]
Date of birth (1995-11-03) 3 November 1995
Place of birth Poplar, London, England[2]
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Maidenhead United
Number 6
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)
2020–2021 Harrogate Town 13 (1)
2021–2022 Aldershot Town 7 (0)
2022–2023 Farnborough 45 (2)
2023– Maidenhead United 0 (0)
International career
2017 England C 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:51, 16 May 2023 (UTC)

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. He signed for Aldershot Town of the National League in July 2021, where he spent one season before joining National League South club Farnborough in July 2022.

Early life

Born in Poplar, London, England,[2] Lokko grew up in Romford in Essex.[2] His father is from Ghana and his mother is from Ukraine.[2][4] Due to his mother's Ukrainian heritage, Lokko grew up speaking Russian.[2] He attended Easton College in Norwich where he studied sports performance and business studies.[5]

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.[6] He spent two years playing regularly for Norwich's under-18 team and was part of the FA Youth Cup-winning squad during the 2012–13 season.[7] Lokko was released by the club upon the expiry of his scholarship contract in May 2014.[8] Lokko went on trial at Colchester United in July 2014, playing in several under-21 matches, as well as in the first-team's final pre-season friendly ahead of the 2014–15 season.[9] 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 under-21 squad to further his development.[9] 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,[10][11] Lokko sustained a hip injury that kept him out of first-team action for five months and he did not make any appearances during the season.[3] He was released when his contract expired in May 2015.[3][12]

Welling United

Ahead of the 2015–16 season, on 20 July 2015, Lokko signed a one-year contract with National League club Welling United.[13] 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.[14] 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 against Guiseley at Park View Road.[15] 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.[16] He was a mainstay in the centre of defence throughout the season, making 42 appearances in all competitions, scoring once,[17] in what was Lokko's breakthrough season of regular first-team football.[3] Lokko left the club when his contract expired in May 2016.[3]

Maidstone United

Lokko subsequently signed for National League club Maidstone United on a free transfer on 3 June 2016.[18] He rejected several offers from other National League teams prior to signing for Maidstone,[12] stating he had "done his research" and was impressed by Maidstone's three promotions in four years under manager Jay Saunders.[12] Lokko made his Maidstone debut in a 1–1 home draw with York City on the opening day of the 2016–17 season.[19] He scored his first goal for the club at the end of that month, an injury-time winning goal in a 1–0 away victory at Boreham Wood on 29 August 2016.[20] Lokko scored twice in Maidstone's 4–2 win against Chester at the Gallagher Stadium on 18 February 2017,[21] both of Lokko's goals coming in the first half of the match.[21] He played regularly during his one season at Maidstone, scoring four times in 46 appearances in all competitions.[3][22]

Stevenage

Four days before the start of the 2017–18 season, on 2 August 2017, Lokko signed for League Two club Stevenage for an undisclosed fee and on a two-year contract.[23][24] The transfer occurred when Stevenage triggered a buyout clause in Lokko's contract after several other clubs had also shown interest in the player.[25] Two days after joining Stevenage, Lokko was loaned out to Dagenham & Redbridge of the National League on a season-long loan agreement, in order for him to continue to gain first-team experience.[26] Lokko made his Dagenham debut in the club's 2–1 home victory against Barrow on 5 August 2017 and was awarded Man of the Match for his performance.[6][27] He scored in consecutive games at the end of August in home fixtures against Ebbsfleet United and Bromley respectively.[28][29] He was a regular in the centre of defence during his time at Dagenham, scoring two goals in 28 appearances in all competitions.[30]

Lokko was recalled by Stevenage at the start of February 2018,[31] with their 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".[32] 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.[33] A week after making his Stevenage debut, Lokko was loaned out to National League club Dover Athletic for the remainder of the 2017–18 campaign; Stevenage retaining an option to recall Lokko after 28 days if necessary.[34] 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.[35] Lokko went on to make 12 appearances during the loan agreement, scoring once,[30] before returning to Stevenage at the end of the season where he was made available for transfer.[36]

Dover Athletic

Lokko signed for Dover Athletic on a permanent basis on 27 June 2018, joining the club for an undisclosed fee.[37] 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.[38][39] Lokko scored his first goal of the campaign three days later,[38] briefly giving Dover the lead from close-range in an eventual 2–2 draw with Bromley.[40] Lokko was voted as the National League Player of the Month for January 2019, with Lokko scoring once and Dover's defence keeping three clean sheets during the month.[38][41] He played 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.[38][42][43] Lokko was named as Dover's new captain on 27 June 2019.[41] He made 29 appearances and scored four goals during Dover's 2019–20 season, which was curtailed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[44]

Harrogate Town

Lokko returned to the Football League when he signed for League Two club Harrogate Town on a two-year contract on 14 August 2020.[45] Harrogate's assistant manager Paul Thirlwell stated the club had tracked his availability after he impressed them when Harrogate played Dover during the previous season.[46] He scored on his Harrogate debut in the club's 2–2 draw with Grimsby Town in the EFL Trophy on 8 September 2020.[47] He played a peripheral role during the 2020–21 season, making eight appearances and scoring two goals in all competitions.[47] With a year remaining on his contract at Harrogate, Lokko was told he was free to look for another club at the end of the season.[48]

Aldershot Town

He subsequently signed for National League club Aldershot Town on a two-year contract on 16 July 2021.[49]

Farnborough

Following his release from Aldershot, Lokko agreed to join Farnborough in May 2022.[50]

Maidenhead United

Lokko joined Maidenhead United for the 2023-24 season.[51]

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.[52] 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.[53] Two days later, he once again played the whole 90 minutes in a 1–1 draw with Jersey FA.[54]

Style of play

Lokko has been deployed as a centre-back throughout his career.[46] He is left-footed and plays as a left-sided central defender.[46] Described by Harrogate Town assistant manager Paul Thirlwell as a ball-playing defender with "a great range of passing", Lokko has also been praised for his attacking threat from set-pieces.[46]

Career statistics
As of match played 29 April 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Colchester United 2014–15[55] League One 0000000000
Welling United 2015–16[44] National League 38130—1[lower-alpha 1]0421
Maidstone United 2016–17[44] National League 41430—2[lower-alpha 1]0464
Stevenage 2017–18[56] League Two 2000000020
Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 2017–18[44] National League 25220—1[lower-alpha 1]0282
Dover Athletic (loan) 2017–18[44] National League 12100—00121
Dover Athletic 2018–19[44] National League 39620—1[lower-alpha 1]0426
2019–20[44] National League 27310—1[lower-alpha 1]1294
Total 781030—218311
Harrogate Town 2020–21[47] League Two 3120003[lower-alpha 2]182
Aldershot Town 2021–22[57] National League 7000—0070
Farnborough 2022–23[44] National League South 45261—2[lower-alpha 1]0533
Career total 239201910011226923
  1. Appearance(s) in the FA Trophy
  2. Appearance(s) in the Football League Trophy

Honours
Harrogate Town

References
  1. "The Football League Retained List". English Football league. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  2. "'I think I now have an identity' – One-on-one with Kevin Lokko". Non-League Daily. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  3. "Soccerway – Kevin Lokko". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  4. "Performance of Ghanaian Players Abroad: Yartey sparkles, Ache strikes as Antwi hits brace as 20 players score 23 goals abroad – Ghana Sports Online". 12 August 2019.
  5. "Linkedin – Kevin Lokko". Linkedin. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  6. "Flown From the Nest – Kevin Lokko". Flown From the Nest. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  7. "FA Youth Cup final: Norwich beat Chelsea 4–2 on aggregate". BBC Sport. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  8. "Academy trio awarded pro deals". Norwich City F.C. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  9. "Lokko signs up". Colchester United F.C. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  10. "Swindon Town 2–2 Colchester United". Soccerway. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  11. "Colchester United 1–2 Port Vale". Soccerway. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  12. "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.
  13. "George Porter and Kevin Lokko sign". Welling United F.C. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  14. "Welling United sign George Porter and Kevin Lokko". Kent Online. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  15. "Welling United 1–0 Guiseley". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  16. "Welling United 2–1 Woking". BBC Sport. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  17. "Games played by Kevin Lokko in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  18. "Stones secure Lokko". Maidstone United F.C. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  19. "Maidstone United 1–1 York City". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  20. "Boreham Wood 0–1 Maidstone United". Maidstone United F.C. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  21. "Maidstone United 4–2 Chester". BBC Sport. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  22. "Games played by Kevin Lokko in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  23. "New Signing: Kevin Lokko signs from Maidstone". Stevenage F.C. 2 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  24. "Kevin Lokko: Stevenage sign Maidstone United defender". BBC Sport. 2 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  25. "Lokko leaves the Stones". Maidstone United F.C. 2 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  26. "Kevin Lokko: Dagenham & Redbridge sign Stevenage defender on loan". BBC Sport. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  27. "Dagenham & Redbridge 2–1 Barrow". BBC Sport. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  28. "Dagenham & Redbridge 3–3 Ebbsfleet United". BBC Sport. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  29. "Dagenham & Redbridge 5–1 Bromley". BBC Sport. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  30. "Games played by Kevin Lokko in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  31. "Kevin Lokko recalled from Dagenham loan". Stevenage F.C. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  32. "Phil Wallace's inside story on the January Transfer Window". Stevenage F.C. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  33. "Forest Green Rovers 3–1 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  34. "Kevin Lokko joins Dover Athletic on loan". Stevenage F.C. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  35. "AFC Fylde 3–1 Dover Athletic". BBC Sport. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  36. "Player meetings concluded – retained/released list available". Stevenage F.C. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  37. "Kevin Lokko: Dover sign defender from Stevenage on permanent deal". BBC Sport. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  38. "Games played by Kevin Lokko in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  39. "Dover Athletic 0–1 Wrexham". BBC Sport. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  40. "Bromley 2–2 Dover Athletic". BBC Sport. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  41. "Lokko named new captain". Dover Athletic F.C. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  42. "Concord Rangers 0–1 Dover Athletic". Dover Athletic F.C. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  43. "Dover Athletic 3–0 Sutton United". BBC Sport. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  44. Kevin Lokko at Soccerway. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  45. "Kevin Lokko: Harrogate Town sign ex-Dover Athletic captain on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  46. Howell, Rhys (14 August 2020). "'Everything you could want in a centre-half' – Harrogate Town swoop for Kevin Lokko". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  47. "Games played by Kevin Lokko in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  48. Howell, Rhys (17 May 2021). "Do Joe Leesley, Connor Kirby, Tom Walker and Kevin Lokko still have a future at Harrogate Town?". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  49. "Shots Sign Lokko". Aldershot Town F.C. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  50. Lloyd, Dom (19 May 2022). "Farnborough sign Kevin Lokko". Farnborough F.C. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  51. Scott, Grace (22 May 2023). "Welcome to York Road, Kevin Lokko!". Maidenhead United F.C. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  52. "Lokko and Taylor selected for England C". Maidstone United F.C. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  53. "Darren McQueen double earns Non-League Three Lions victory". The FA. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  54. "Jersey FA 1–1 FA XI". The FA. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  55. "Games played by Kevin Lokko in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  56. "Games played by Kevin Lokko in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  57. "Games played by Kevin Lokko in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  58. Law, James (3 May 2021). "FA Trophy final 2019-20: Concord Rangers 0-1 Harrogate Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
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