List of professional Ghanaian football players in Spain
European football is impressive. Whether it is the United Kingdom where the English Premier League reigns supreme or La Liga in Spain, aspiring footballers epitomize the professionalism. And some have even earned a spot in the most prominent teams. Scouts, over time, have been scavenging Africa for great talent, and thanks to their keen eye, Ghana has a considerable representation in the Spanish Premier League. These are players rubbing shoulders with some of football's most excellent like Lionel Messi and Suarez. Are you wondering about Ghanaian football players plying their trade in Spain? They are a lucky lot, of course, with great hard work.
Source: Instagram
To play in Spain, where football is almost a religion is an excellent opportunity for players looking to go pro. The country's national team's prowess is unmatched and is laden with big names that mostly play for Spanish football clubs. And getting an opportunity to mingle with such talented players is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Ghanaian players in Spain have joined the soccer mania, a country where the soccer season never ends. That is why Spanish football clubs enjoy considerable success in European competitions. Now, they not only have local talent, but international players and the ones hailing from Ghana indeed make a formidable contribution to their team’s success. Who are these fortunate players?
Ghanaian football players in Spain
It is not easy getting selected to join Spanish teams as their game is top level. Therefore, the six Ghanaian footballers that have managed to enter the football-crazy country have a tale to tell and are learning from the best.
1. Thomas Partey
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Thomas Partey
- Date of birth: June 13, 1993
- Current team: Atletico Madrid
Thomas Partey, the nominee for BBC African Footballer of the Year, has a fantastic story and is one of the most talented footballers in Ghana. He was born on June 13, 1993, and is currently 27 years old. Where is Partey from? He hails from Krobo Odumase in Ghana.
The professional footballer currently plays for Atletico Madrid in La Liga. During the recently opened transfer window, Atletico Madrid is in talks to sell the defensive midfielder to Arsenal, but the deal is yet to materialize.
Partey has spent the most significant part of his career playing in Spain and has made more than 150 appearances for Atletico Madrid. He has also represented the Ghana International team in various competitions.
Thomas was a product of Odometah FC's youth ranks. He got his Atletico Madrid deal in 2011 and became one of the team's reserves. It wasn't until March 10, 2013, that he was called to the main squad when the team was playing against Real Sociedad. Partey has also played for Mallorca and Almería, both Spanish clubs.
Partey’s entry to Spanish football was out of his hard work and impressive talent. He was observed by an agent that recognized his incredible prowess at the game during a football competition. He accepted to travel to Spain and joined his current team.
2. Mohammed Salisu
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Mohammed Salisu
- Date of birth: April 17, 1999
- Current team: Real Valladolid
Mohammed Salisu, born on April 17, 1999, is one of the youngest Ghana soccer players in Spain. He is currently only 20 years old. Salisu joined the Spanish team through its youth setup in October 2017 and made his debut on the reserve team on January 28, 2018.
The talented centre-back first became part of Africa Talent Football Academy in Ghana's capital before being spotted by scouts from Spain. The scout's visit was a big surprise to the star who had to borrow boots from a goalkeeper to showcase his skills. Luckily, he managed to impress the scout and got a chance to go for trials in Spain, later joining his current team.
Salisu is an elegant player with incredible physical strength, and these are among the most dominant attributes that the scout spotted during trials. Although Real Valladolid is not among the top five teams in La Liga, the team has the best defensive record better than any other of its stature and position.
Salisu has started in more than 26 games in his current team. He is a speedy player and comfortable with his 1.8 metres height and around 82 kgs. Salisu is a young player that is destined for greatness in the Spanish Premier League.
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3. Joseph Aidoo
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Joseph Aidoo
- Date of birth: September 29, 1995
- Current team: Celta de Vigo
Joseph Aidoo plays for Spanish club RC Celta de Vigo as well as the Ghanaian national team. He was born on September 29, 1995, and is 24 years old. Joseph is an impressive defender, making a significant contribution to his side.
In the 2013 – 2014 period, while playing for Inter Allies, Aidoo was nominated in the category of Defender of the Year in the Ghana Premier League, but he missed out on the award. This Ghanaian club was Aidoo’s entry into professional football. He later played for Swedish team Hammarby in Allsvenskan for a six-month loan deal.
Aidoo has also played for Genk, in the Belgian First Division A whereby he signed a three-year contract with the club. He joined Celta on July 11, 2019, for a five-year contract that cost around 8 million euros. Aidoo debuted for the team on August 24, 2019, where they won 1 – 0 against Valencia.
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4. Iddrisu Baba Mohammed
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Iddrisu Baba Mohammed
- Date of birth: January 22, 1996
- Current team: RCD Mallorca
Are you wondering about the best Ghanaian footballer in Spain? Although a young player and probably surpassed by Thomas Partey, Iddrisu Baba Mohammed is one of the best from Ghana.
He was born in Accra, Ghana on January 22, 1996, and moved to Spain at an early age, joining RCD Mallorca's youth set up in January 2014. Since he has incredible football skills, he made his senior debut for the team's reserve on August 29, 2015. Iddrisu came in the second half as a substitute.
The Ghanaian midfielder scored his first goal for RCD Mallorca on May 8, 2016, when they were playing against CF Platges de Calvià. Iddrisu has played for Barakaldo CF in Segunda División on loan. He has a contract with RCD Mallorca that expires in 2022 and is undoubtedly going to be a significant part of the Spanish club.
5. Lumor Agbenyenu
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Lumor Agbenyenu
- Date of birth: August 15, 1996
- Current team: RCD Mallorca
He is commonly referred to as Lumar and plays for Spanish club RCD Mallorca together with other two Ghanaian nationals. The talented star was born on August 15, 1996, and is 23 years old. When he was young, Agbenyenu was a very active player, taking part in the Wassaman Utd schools football competitions. He also played internationally for Ghana youngsters.
Lumor got a chance to participate in European football in July 2014 when he was loaned to FC Porto. He played the entire season in the junior team. Lumor has played for other teams, but on July 31, 2019, he joined RCD Mallorca in a temporary deal.
6. Baba Rahma
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Baba Rahma
- Date of birth: July 2, 1994
- Current team: RCD Mallorca
Baba Rahma is among Ghanaian players in La Liga playing with European legends. He was born on July 2, 1994, and is 26 years old. The left-back plays for La Liga club RCD Mallorca and is on loan from Chelsea FC.
Rahma began his professional football career at Dreams FC in the Ghanaian Premier League. He signed a deal with Bundesliga club Greuther Fürth whereby he played for two seasons. Rahma later joined FC Augsburg and then Chelsea FC in 2015 for a transfer fee of £14 million.
Rahma is popularly known as Baba, a name that is engraved on his jerseys. Rahma’s international career is also pretty amazing as he was one of the most dominant players in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. He scored a penalty shoot-out whereby Ghana lost 9-8.
Ghanaian football players plying their trade in Spain have brought fantastic talent to La Liga. Most of them come from humble backgrounds, and their entry into the renowned league that is full of professional footballers is a great move.
Yen.com.gh highlighted Jordan Ayew’s fantastic success as he swept the top three awards at the Crystal Palace’s end of season gala. Many people supported his achievements, noting that he was an underrated player.
Fans went to social media to share their comments about the player's numerous awards at the gala. It is evident that the awards have given Ghanaians a lot to celebrate and has shown their patriotism.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
