[2021] Game will not start as I am unable to link my Xbox account to my Ubisoft account

Hi there,
If this is a repeat topic I'm sorry; I did look and don't see it. I have AC/V on Xbox X, digital product thru Best Buy. Downloaded to console, the game starts, gets to the "In order to play this game you must have a Ubisoft account..."screen and that's as far as it gets. The save icon in the bottom right is in constant motion, when I press "A" for "Connect me now" one of two things happens:

1/nothing
2/the screen will transition white, then black, then back to the "in order..."screen

I tried power cycling the console, giving it a good long wait to see and try again and deleting/reinstalling with no changes.

Suggestions? I've yet to get past this screen to even play the game.

Thanks!