As the European transfer window closed yesterday, Our reporter Herbert Boakye Yiadom brings you a report on Black Stars players who have changed clubs ahead of the 2022 season as well as the World Cup to be staged in Qatar.
Coach Otto Addo’s criteria in selecting players for the World Cup tournament will largely depend on players who are playing competitively for their respective clubs, week in and week out. Some players have moved in search of more regular playing time in order to make the squad.
Below is a list of Black Stars players to have joined new clubs in the just-ended summer transfer window in Europe:
- Felix Afena-Gyan- Cremonense
Felix Afena-Gyan has joined US Cremonese on a permanent deal from AS Roma in the just-ended transfer window.
The 19-year-old signed a five-year deal with the Serie A newcomers. Cremonese reportedly paid €6 million in salary and bonuses, with the Roma receiving an additional 10% of future sales.
Afena-Gyan joined the club in search of regular playing time ahead of the 2022 World Cup. He was part of the Ghana squad that qualify for the World Cup after eliminating Nigeria in the playoff.
- Gideon Mensah- Auxerre
Gideon Mensah has signed a three-year contract with French Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre.
The defender makes a return to France after spending the 2021/22 season with Bordeaux.
Mensah joined Red Bull Salzburg in 2017 and has since had loan spells at Sturm Graz, Zulte Waregem, Vitória Sport Clube, and Bordeaux.
- Stephan Ambrosius- Karlsruher
Stephan Ambrosius was among the new players to have naturalized to play for Ghana ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Ambrosius has joined German Bundesliga II side Karlsruher from Hamburg on a season-long loan from Hamburg SV.
“I am very happy to be here in Karlsruhe. I want to help the team with my positive nature, I will give my all for them and I’m looking forward to being on the pitch with the lads soon,” said Ambrosius after sealing the move.
Ambrosius has struggled with game time since he returned from injury and will be hoping to get back to action with the 2022 World Cup looming.
- Richmond Boakye Yiadom- Lamia FC (Greece)
Richmond Boakye Yiadom has signed for Greek side PAE Lamia on a free transfer for the new season.
The Black Stars forward became a free agent in July when he parted ways with Beitar Jerusalem. He scored six goals and assisted two for the Israeli side last season.
“PAE Lamia is pleased to announce the start of its partnership with 29-year-old international, Ghanaian striker, Richmond Boakye,” the club announced on Tuesday.
“The experienced Ghanaian has previously played for Genoa in Italy, Sassuolo, Atalanta, Juventus, Latina Calcio, Elche in Spain, Ronda in the Netherlands, Red Star in Serbia, Jiangsu Suning in China, Gornik Zabrze in Poland, while last year he played in Israel with Beitar Jerusalem.”
“We welcome him and wish him health and many successes with our team!!”
Boakye stated on the team’s official website after signing his contract: “I am very happy to be in the Lamia team. It is a special challenge for my career and I hope we can all achieve our goals together.”
- Osman Bukari- Red Star Belgrade (Serbia)
Osman Bukari joined Serbian top flight side, Red Star Belgrade from KAA Gent this transfer window.
Osman spent last season on loan with French Ligue 1 side, FC Nantes, notching two goals and registering four assists in 26 matches in all competitions.
He is currently Ghana’s in form player in Europe with four goals in six appearances for his new club.
- Daniel Kofi Kyereh- Freiburg (Germany)
SC Freiburg signed Ghana international Daniel-Kofi Kyereh from FC St. Pauli this summer.
The 26-year-old Ghana international, who scored 12 goals last season and chipped in 10 assists.
“SC Freiburg have added a signing in the form of Daniel-Kofi Kyereh,” Freiburg confirmed on their official website. “The 26-year-old joins from FC St. Pauli and will start training in the coming week.
“Daniel-Kofi Kyereh was, with 12 goals and 10 assists, one of the most effective attacking midfielders in the Bundesliga 2 last season. For the Millerntor club and, before joining them, SV Wehen Wiesbaden, he has scored and set up 27 goals each in 91 second-division appearances
- Baba Rahman- Reading (England)
Reading have confirmed the loan signing of Ghana international defender Baba Rahman for the remainder of the season.
The Chelsea player has returned to Reading on loan for the second consecutive season after spending last season there.
“We are delighted to announce that Baba Rahman has sealed a return to Reading Football Club for a second season-long loan spell in blue and white hoops,” Reading announced.
Benjamin Tetteh- Hull City