Afriyie Acquah

Born on January 5, 1992, in Accra, Ghana, Afriyie Acquah displayed an early passion for football. He kick-started his training at Glentoran Football Academy in Sunyani, which was established by Christopher Forsythe, an Irish National. Acquah's dedication and skills earned him recognition as the best Ghanaian midfielder in the Under-14 category during his time at the academy.

Acquah moved from the Northern Irish club to Bechem United. Nevertheless, he continued to receive guidance from Christopher Forsythe, who took him to Belfast for training. In April 2009, he showcased his abilities by playing against Italian club Empoli while representing Bechem United.

In 2010, Acquah made a significant move to Turkey, accompanied by his brother. During his time there, he not only excelled in football but also learned Italian with the help of a private tutor. His exceptional performances caught the attention of Palermo, who signed him on February 1, 2010, in a free transfer.

Acquah's career trajectory faced a hurdle when it was discovered that he had signed a contract with an agent in June 2009, preventing him from joining any foreign club until he turned 18. Palermo paid a fine of €500,000 to SCMG Sports Consulting & Management GmbH due to the third-party ownership rule in 2012.

Acquah made his Palermo debut on February 13, 2011, against Fiorentina, coming on as a substitute for Giulio Migliaccio in the 32nd minute. He signed a five-year contract with Palermo, extending until 2016.

Acquah's talent did not go unnoticed by the Ghanaian national team. He made his debut against Chile on February 29, 2012, and later scored a goal against Malawi on October 13, 2012, in the Civo Stadium, Lilongwe.

In July 2012, Acquah was loaned to Serie A rivals Parma for €100,000, with Parma having the option to acquire half of his transfer rights by the end of the season. He later returned to Parma in July 2013 after a spell at German Bundesliga club Hoffenheim. During his time with Parma, he showcased his skills, making 27 league appearances and scoring his first professional goal in a match against Roma on April 2, 2014.

In May 2014, Acquah was named in the provisional 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup by Ghana manager James Kwesi Appiah. His impressive performances earned him a spot in Ghana's squad for the 2014 tournament. Acquah made his World Cup debut as a substitute for Mohammed Rabiu in the 76th minute during a match against Portugal, which unfortunately resulted in a 2-1 loss for Ghana.

On June 19, 2015, he signed a four-year contract with Torino, solidifying his place in Italian football. Acquah continued to impress with his skills and versatility on the field.

One of the notable achievements in Acquah's career is being a runner-up in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015. Representing Ghana, he contributed to the team's impressive journey in the tournament, showcasing his skills on the international stage.

In February 2018, Acquah's loan to Parma was terminated, leading to a move to Serie A side Sampdoria while still on loan. He made his debut for Sampdoria, playing the full 90 minutes, in a 2-1 loss against Chievo.

Looking ahead, Acquah continues to excel as a key player for the Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor, contributing his skills and experience to the team's success. As he continues to grow and evolve as a footballer, there is no doubt that Afriyie Acquah's name will remain prominent in the world of football, both in Ghana and on the international stage.