Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu

Born on December 2, 1990, in Berekum, Ghana's Brong-Ahafo Region, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu's journey from playing for local clubs to representing the national team is a testament to his dedication and talent.

Starting his football journey with the local club Berlin F.C., Badu's talent quickly caught attention. He later signed with Berekum Arsenal and was announced as part of the Ghana Premier League All-Star Team on May 21, 2007. After a successful stint with Berekum Arsenal, Badu joined Asante Kotoko on a one-year deal, showcasing his potential in Ghana's football scene.

Badu's performances did not go unnoticed, leading to trials in England with Middlesbrough in August 2008, followed by a brief stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In April 2009, he joined Recreativo de Huelva on loan from Berlin F.C., displaying his versatility and earning valuable experience. However, his contract with Recreativo de Huelva was dissolved.

In January 2010, Badu made a significant move to Italian Serie A side Udinese Calcio. This marked a turning point in his career, as he received his first-team call-up and made appearances against prominent clubs like A.C. Milan and Fiorentina. He established himself as a regular player in the 2011-2012 season, contributing to Udinese's success.

Seeking new experiences, Badu joined Turkish Süper Lig club Bursaspor on loan for the 2017-18 season. Unfortunately, he encountered an injury that led to his return to Udinese in March 2019 after an 11-month absence from the field. Despite this setback, Badu's determination and resilience remained intact.

Badu's journey took another turn when he was signed on loan by Hellas Verona in July 2019, with an obligation to buy. However, his time at Verona was marred by health issues, as he was hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs. Fortunately, he made a full recovery and returned to play in December 2019.

After the 2019-20 season, Hellas Verona exercised their option to sign him on a two-year deal. However, he faced exclusion from Verona's 2020-21 Serie A squad, leading him to announce his retirement and terminate his Verona contract on January 2, 2021.

Representing Ghana at various levels, including the under-20, under-23, and senior national team, Badu has proved his worth on the international stage. His first senior appearance for the Black Stars came on June 8, 2008, against Lesotho. He went on to score his first goal for Ghana against Congo in June 2011. Notably, Badu played a vital role in Ghana's historic victory in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, scoring the winning penalty in the final against Brazil.