With hundreds of young footballers exported from Ghana every year, it has never been easy for them to quickly settle in and make names for themselves. However, the 2019/20 season has seen a different twist to the narrative.
From Mohammed Kudus to Salisu Mohammed, Isaac Atanga to Osman Bukari, these players are playing key roles at their clubs. Here are the top ten Ghanaian under 21 players making the waves in Europe;
Abdul Mumin- FC Nordjaelland
The 21-year old is enjoying a very good campaign in the Danish topflight league. Abdul Mumin has made 20 Supa Liga appearances, scoring a goal this season before the suspension of the league. The defender's performances has seen him attract interests from several clubs in Europe with French Ligue 1 side Nice keen on making a move for the Ghanaian in the summer transfer window.
The former Right to Dream Academy player is a pillar in the defence of FC Nordsjaelland, with his strength and physique as two of his main qualities. He is also good with the ball at his feet and calm under pressure.
Robin Polley- FC Dordrecht
Robin Polley joined the Eerste Divisie side from Dutch topflight side ADO Den Haag to enjoy more play time. A move that has proven to be the right choice for the versatile player who can play on any side of the flanks, be it as a defender or a winger. After a decent CAF U-23 Cup of Nations with the Black Meteors, the 21-year old has now grown in confidence making 8 appearances for Dordretcht.
His performances has seen him earn positive reviews in the Eertse Divisie.
Gideon Mensah- Zulte Waregem
On loan at Zulte Waregem from Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg. The left back's fast rise to the senior national team of Ghana is quite commendable, making him look older than his age. At the moment he looks the first choice left back for the Black Stars after impressive performances in the AFCON 2021 qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome.
Despite struggling to break into the starting line up of Red Bull, the wing back has excelled on loan deals at Sturm Graz and now Zulte Waregem. He has made 19 appearances for Zulte this season and what even standouts about him is his ability moving forward.
Mohammed Salisu- Real Valladolid
Just his debut topflight season in Spain, and the 20-year old has already popped up on the radar of Spanish giants Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Getafe are the other side to be monitoring the player. Meanwhile reports in England suggests Manchester United and Southampton are also interested in the player.
Mohammed Salisu has been a constant figure in the Real Valladolid team this season, making 27 appearances for the club co-owned by Brazilian legend Ronaldo. Salisu has also scored a goal and has an assist to his named. His strong physique and aerial ability are some of his strengths. It's hard to find a weakness in the rookie.
Osman Bukari- AS Trencin
Currently rated the best young player in the Slovakian league, after scoring seven times in 21 appearances for AS Trencin. The 21-year old has been a key figure for the club and was even refused an invitation to represent Ghana at the CAF U-23 Cup of Nation, having helped the Black Meteors qualifiers. His absence was hugely felt in Egypt.
The pacy winger can also play as the main striker, with his trickery and speed as his main assets. The former Accra Lions Players has also emerged on the radar of clubs around Eastern Europe.
Kevin Ofori- Fortuna Dusseldorf
He might have just made a single appearance in the Bundesliga, but his talent has been enough for new manager Uwe Rosler to promote the 18-year old into his first team. Ofori captivated scouts when he arrived in Germany for trials forcing Fortuna to hand him a permanent deal.
He has made a number of appearances for the club's U-23 team and had it not been for the suspension of the league due to coronavirus, the Right to Dream Academy product could have had more games under his belt.
Kudus Mohammed- FC Nordsjaelland
Arguably the best Ghana U-21 player in Europe. Kudus Mohammed has set a lot of club on high alert with his swashbuckling displays in the Danish top flight league. The midfielder has scored 9 times in 19 games for FC Nordsjaellan this season, attracting interest from Everton in the English Premier League.
French giants Olympique Marseille are reported to be interested in the two times capped Ghana international. At 19 Kudus boosts of two Black Stars appearance and a goal to his name. He netted a phenomenal goal against South Africa on his Ghana debut.
Isaac Atanga- FC Nordsjaelland
Also a teenager and a teammate of Kudus Mohammed, the 19-year old has hogged headlines in the Danish Supa Liga following his remarkable debut season in Europe. Atanga has scored 7 times and provided four in assist. The pacy winger is under no pressure to perform and has 24 games under his belt already.
Kamal Deen Sowah- Oud-Heverleen Leuven
The 20-year old winger belongs to English Premier League side Leicester City but on loan at Belgium lower tier side Oud-Heverleen Leuven, a feeder club to the 2015/16 Premier League champions. It will be hard for the Youngster to break into the starting team of the Foxes but Sowah is enjoying some good amount of game time in Belgium. The winger cum midfielder has played 1703 minutes of football this season, and has scored three times for the club.
It is yet to be known if he would be recalled to Leicester City but his at the moment the exciting winger will fancy his chances with OHL.
Tariq Lamptey- Brighton & Hove Albion
Yet to declare his international allegiance. The English born Ghanaian exploded on the scene after his cameo role in Chelsea's comeback win against Arsenal at the Emirates this season. A lot picked him as the Man of the Match despite playing just 30 minutes of that game.
He is yet to add another Premier League game to his name, however he made a very crucial move in the winter transfer window to join Brighton.
By Lukman Abdul Mumin