Former Ghana youth star Osei set for Kotoko exit

By Akyereko Frimpong Manson

Follow Akyereko on Twitter: @Akyereko

Former Ghana U20 star forward Ransford Osei will leave Ghana Premier League champions Asante Kotoko to seek a deal abroad, according reports in the local media. 

GHANAsoccernet.com checks have revealed Osei's two-season-contract with Kotoko expires at the end of December and the two parties have reached agreement not to renew the contract.

The 23-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Kumasi-based side and is largely regarded as failure in his bid to recapture his good old form, an ambition which fueled his move to Kotoko in 2012.

Osei, who finished among the highest scoring strikers at the 2007 FIFA U17 World Cup and the graduates U20 tournament two years later in Egypt, has not made any significant impact for Kotoko in the current campaign.

And, he feels he not needed at the club as he has been excluded from their squad for the CAF Champions League - Africa's flagship club competition.

According to reports by Oman FM, Osei has acquired his passport and other travelling documents  after requesting from Kotoko officials last month.

With virtually no playing time secured at Kotoko, the clinical finisher known for his calmness upfront is likely to head to the Arabian Peninsula as he has already turned down local offers including an approach by Kotoko's bitter-rivals Hearts of Oak.

Kotoko scouted for new players to boost their strikeforce during the GoTv Wafu tournament but their assistant coach Michael Osei downgraded the standard of strikers playing at the tournament.

Osei has has spells at Dutch Eredivisie side FC Twente as a loanee from Israeli Premier League side Maccaibi Haifa and unsuccessful trial spells with Hungarian side Videoton.

Before joining Kotoko, he played on a short-term loan contract with South African Premier Soccer League side Bloemfontein Celtic.