The year has just started, and it's already been full of interesting developments for players from Ghana. Many exciting transfers have already been announced, and many are in the works. Players from Ghana have long held prominent positions in some of the biggest European teams, and in the last couple of years, they have been sought after by football teams from Saudi Arabia.
This article will go over some of the most significant transfers to look for. These are all confirmed transfers sourced by insiders and those involved in the deals. Transfers can play a big role in developing and changing a team's strategy. Those interested in making wagers should use resources such as Cryptomaniaks to follow how gambling sites react to these transfers.
Joseph Paintsil
M.L.S. side L.A. Galaxy has signed Ghanaian winger Joseph Paintsil from Belgian club K.R.C. Genk. Paintsil has spent six seasons in the Belgian team and achieved great success, winning both the league and the cup. Paintsil also impressively scored 61 goals and provided 35 assists in the 228 matches he played for Genk, including nine goals and five assists in the 2023/24 campaign.
A statement from L.A. Galaxy said: "The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has acquired Joseph Paintsil from Belgian Pro League side K.R.C.
"Genk as a Designated Player and signed the forward to a four-year contract through the end of the 2027 M.L.S. season. Paintsil, who will occupy an international roster slot, will be added to the Galaxy roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (I.T.C.) and P-1 Visa."
Paintil is only 26 years old, and his L.A. Galaxy sting is set to last at least four years.
Michael Baidoo
Michael Baidoo extended his contract with the Swedish Elfsborg. The contract is set to expire in 2027. Baidoo has played a midfielder role since 2022 when he arrived in Elfsborg and became a genuinely irreplaceable part of the lineup.
During his time at the club, Baidoo showcased his versatility and prowess on the field, amassing an impressive 14 goals and 9 assists in 54 competitive matches.
"Since he came to us for the 2022 season, Michael has developed into one of the Allsvenskan's best midfielders. Today, we are happy and proud that Michael is enjoying himself so well in Borås and Elfsborg that he now chooses to extend instead of being attracted by the existing alternatives," said Andreasson.
"Michael is hugely appreciated in the association, and I hope that this sends the right signals to those around us about our ambitions. Now we look forward to starting the 2024 racing season with Michael once again as a key player and person in the team," he added.
Nasiru Moro
Midfielder Nasiru Moro has transferred to the Swedish club Degerfors IF during this winter transfer window. The player signed a two-year contract and left Accra Lions. Moro has proved to be a versatile player who also plays in a defender position. Moro has already started training with Dagersfors.
Moro has had quite a few transfers in his career, starting with the Accra Lions in Ghana and initially moving on to NK Gorica in Croatia as a loan. He then signed a contract and then to Sweden, where he joined Orebro SK. Moro is 27 years old.
Moro reflected on his move, saying, "I always aim for strong performances, both from myself and the team." He described himself as a quick player with speed, strength in challenges, and an aggressive playing style.
Ibrahim Osman
Ibrahim Osman joined the Premier League by signing a contract with Brighton. The winger from Ghana signed a contract for £16 million after leaving FC Nordsjaelland. He will join the team in the summer.
Osman has proven able to play both right, left, and midfield and is only 19 years old. Brighton has had an eye on him for years following his career from a young age and through all stages of Danish football. This is Osman's first season for the Danish team, and the contract states that he'll finish it and then move to England to adapt and start training.
Brighton made the offer. I really like their style of play," he said. "If you watch their history with the young players, they are also a selling club. I think that's a better thing for my development.
Osman added: "My dream was to play in the Premier League and for a team that has the same style of play as FC Nordsjaelland. They [Brighton] promote younger players. I think it's a better stepping stone for my development."
Derrick Kohn
Derick Kohn moved to Galatasaray from Hannover 96 after a lengthy negotiation between the Turkish team and his management. Kohn's contract will last until the 2025/26 season ends. The 25-year-old left-back produced eight goals and 12 assists in 53 matches for Hannover 96.
The agreed-upon contract was somewhat complicated, and it took a bit of time to agree with all the parties involved. It includes a signing bonus and a payment to Hannover 96 and to Kohn himself. It was also widely reported that Kohn sought advice from friends, family, and his team before signing the contract.
Reflecting on the magnitude of joining Galatasaray, Köhn remarked, "Signing for such a big club is a tremendous and special opportunity for me." He eagerly anticipated stepping onto the field, meeting the passionate fans, and dedicating himself fully to the club.
Jonah Kusi-Asare
Bayern Munich won the race for a contract with Jonah Kusi-Asare, a wunderkind from Ghana. The teenager showed remarkable promise in his young career, and many major teams were trying to secure long-term contracts.
Jonah is the son of Jones Kusi-Asare, who played professionally in Sweden, Austria, and Denmark. Kusi-Asare had four appearances in the Allsvenskan in 2023, the year he was promoted from the Sweden U16s to 17s. He made his debut in a UEFA Euro U17 qualifier against Moldova, marking the occasion with a hat-trick.
"He's extraordinary. He's good at everything: strong, technical, can score from nothing, good in the air. It feels like he does what he wants. He has a great future and is only going to get better." - George Mousally, Kusi-Asare's former U17s coach at AIK Solna.
Princess Marfo
Bay FC, a new women's football franchise, signed a contract with a young Ghanaian international, Princess Marfo, through a transfer with Danish club FC Nordsjælland. The forward signed a contract until the end of the 2025 season with an option for the 2026 season.
Marfo started her career in the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana and became the first female in the academy to make the move to FC Nordsjælland during the 2021-22 season at the age of 18. She finished the season appearing in 22 games while scoring two goals.
"Princess is an exciting, young talent that we are thrilled to be bringing to our club and into the NWSL," said Bay FC General Manager Lucy Rushton. "She has already shown tremendous growth and potential since joining FCN, and we believe that our environment will help continue to foster her skills as a professional. She will add another dimension to our attack, and I am looking forward to seeing her hit the ground running with our group.".