Yann Ekra

Ekra began his youth career with Esperance Paris 19ème at the age of 11. He joined Lyon at the age of 12.^[2] His roommate for several years was Karim Benzema.^[3] Ekra played two games and scored one goal for Lyon's reserve team in the 2007–08 season.^[4]

Ekra signed with Hull City at the beginning of the 2008–09 season.^[5] In the 2009–10 season, he played seven games for the reserve team, but did not score.^{[citation needed]}

To further his career, Ekra joined Greek side Panionios on loan in January 2009 until the end of the season.^[6][7][8] He played for the club's under-21 side. He did not play any first team games^{[citation needed]} although he made the gameday roster in a Super League Greece game in which Panionios beat Asteras Tripoli 4–3 on 26 April 2009.^[9]

On 29 May 2010, Ekra was released by Hull.^[10]

For the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons, Ekra played in France on the reserve team of Châteauroux.^{[citation needed]}

While visiting his in-laws in Washington D.C. in the Spring of 2012, Ekra attended an open tryout with Harrisburg City Islanders of USL Pro.^[11] Following a strong performance in preseason scrimmages in which Ekra scored three goals in three games,^[12] he signed with the team. He made his debut on 4 May 2012 in 2–1 loss to the Charlotte Eagles.^[13] In his first start on 19 May 2012 against Dayton Dutch Lions, Ekra scored a hat trick on his first three shots.^[11] In the 2012 regular season, he played 21 regular season games – scoring 6 goals and assisting on 1 goal. He also played three U.S. Open Cup games – scoring one goal and assisting on three goals. He also played in one playoff game. In the 2013 regular season, he played 24 regular season games – scoring 4 goals and assisting on 3 goals. He also played in one playoff game and one U.S. Open Cup game.^{[citation needed]}

After the 2012 season, Ekra trialed with D.C. United of Major League Soccer.^[14]

In 2012–13, Ekra played his first season of indoor soccer with the Harrisburg Heat of the Professional Arena Soccer League.^[15] He made his debut on 3 November 2012 in a 6–2 loss to the Dallas Sidekicks. His most productive performance was a two-goal, three-assist performance in a 10–8 loss against the Chicago Mustangs.^[16] He finished the season playing 11 games, scoring 7 goals and assisting on 8 goals.^[17]

On 13 September 2013, Ekra signed with the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.^[18][19] In 2012, Ekra had been productive against Philadelphia – scoring a goal in a 12 June 2012 friendly in which Harrisburg City Islanders won,^[20] getting two assists in a 26 June 2012 5–2 U.S. Open Cup loss to the Union^[21] as well as playing as a guest player and assisting on the only goal in a D.C. United 1–0 reserve league win over the Union on 12 October 2012.^[22] He did not appear for the club and was released at the end of the 2013 season.^{[citation needed]}

In March 2014, Ekra returned to Harrisburg City Islanders.^[23]

Ekra signed with the Charlotte Independence in December 2015.^[24]

On 7 December 2018, Ekra moved to the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship ahead of their 2019 season.^[25]

Ekra played on national youth teams for France at the U15, U16, U17 and U18 levels.^[26] He played on the U17 team that won the Disney Soccer Showcase in 2005.^[27][28][29]

In April 2025, Ekra returned to the Rowdies as an assistant coach.^[30]