This doesn’t happen often but Spain is turning out to be the latest destination for Ghanaian talents from the Ghana Premier League.
CAF Confederation Cup, dark horses, Dream FC had a midfielder whose role in the team was telling – Abdul Aziz Issah.
The 18-year-old formed part of Karim Zito’s side that took the African continent by storm. He emerged as the competition’s top scorer, netting four goals and providing two assists in 10 games, helping Dreams FC reach the semi-finals—a historic achievement for the club.
In the Ghana Premier League, Issah contributed to 17 goals, scoring seven and assisting 10. He also made his mark in the FA Cup, where he scored four goals in five matches.
His performance in Ghana and Africa, coupled with a gold medal from the 2023 African Games while representing Ghana’s U20 side, the Black Satellites laid the marker for good things to come: a move to Barcelona’s youth setup. He grew up idolizing Lionel Messi, a legend at the Spanish giants and this move represents a dream come true.
🤝 Acord amb el Dreams FC ghanès per a la cessió d’Aziz Issah
👏🏼 Benvingut!
— Barça Atlètic (@FCBarcelonaB) September 3, 2024
“My ambition is reaching the highest level and being at the highest level that is my target. To be able to play in Europe and in the top five leagues. There is no pressure on me; I am just focusing on the football,” Aziz Issah stated about a year ago.
Teaming up with him is Accra Lion’s fleet-footed left-back David Oduro. The 18-year-old has been one of the best-performing youngsters on the local scene with his performances for the Accra-based side. The teenager recorded 50 league appearances across two seasons and found the net once.
Together, they become the first players to transition directly from Ghana to FC Barcelona despite beginning from the youth ranks.
🚨From the Ghana Premier League to Spain 🇪🇸 [3]
🇬🇭Winger Abdul Aziz Issah from Dreams FC to Barcelona B on a permanent deal.
🇬🇭 Left back David Oduro from Accra Lions to Barcelona B on a permanent deal.
🇬🇭Winger Bernard Somuah from Asante Kotoko to Celta Vigo B on loan. pic.twitter.com/ozoPdL8ryl
— Shaban Mohammed (@ShabanMo9) September 3, 2024
Barcelona’s philosophy of unearthing and nurturing young talents forms part of the club’s ethos, and could well be the right place for two of Ghana’s finest.
From northeast of Spain, Ghana’s Bernard Somuah will be heading towards the Western Iberian peninsula. The 18-year-old winger has joined RC Celta Fortuna from Kotoko on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
After scoring 22 goals at Afigya Liberty and impressing at Kotoko, Somuah earned a spot on Ghana’s U20 team. His strong pre-season, including a goal against Bibiani Goldstars, boosted his reputation. This move to Spain’s third tier marks a key step in his career.
Ghana’s talent production pipeline could well be seeing a paradigm shift with these swift moves to Europe.
