African-Italian transfers:
Kwadwo Asamoah
Featured Teams
In another busy transfer market, the Africans have been making the headlines with their transfers in Serie A.
From new arrivals in the Italian peninsula, to players changing the colours of their strips; MTNFootball takes a look at the notable African transfers in Serie A.
Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus):
Fearless, hard working, tough tackling and elegant all at the same time, Kwadwo Asamoah was one of the leading men in Udinese’s successful 2011/2012 campaign.
His ability off and on the ball caught sight of many onlookers and he soon became an instant hit on the market with teams lining up to reel the Ghanaian midfielder in.
However, there was little stopping Beppe Marotta from making headlines once again, as his negotiating skills saw him keep the rare talent in Italy and move him over to a city he once lived in; Torino.
Signing for the other black and white half of the city, the 23-year-old couldn’t hold back his emotions.
"It is a dream to play for Juventus. I am only the second Ghanaian after Appiah," he told Juventus Channel.
“Juventus are a very big club that won the Scudetto last term. I saw a lot of their matches and I am delighted to be at this club. Having joined Juventus is the best thing in my life."
Afriyie Acquah (Parma):
Labeled as one of the most promising youth talents to come off the African continent, Afriyie Acquah has made the move from the Island of Sicily to join Parma.
The Ghanaian burst onto the Serie A scene in 2010, but after failing to gain regular game time with Palermo, he was soon scouted out by Roberto Donadoni.
The former Italy coach was adamant to bring him to the Tardini and he managed to get his wish when the 20-year-old made the move.
“I am very happy to be here,” the midfielder noted in his press conference. “I have come to Parma to work hard and earn the starting spot.”
Known to bring out the best in his players of all ages, Acquah is bound to grow into an incredible player under Donadoni.
Mounir El Hamdaoui (Fiorentina):
Like his career, Mounir El Hamdaoui’s transfer to Fiorentina from Ajax Amsterdam has been far from plain sailing.
Expected to arrive in January, after falling out with Frank de Boer, the Viola has had to wait a further six months to acquire his services.
Nevertheless, El Hamdaoui’s arrival is expected to head-hunt a revival in the Tuscany army’s depleted forces and he will be hoping to hit the back of the net frequently for Fiorentina.
“I am very happy to be here and hope to be useful for the squad," the player said upon signing for the Viola. “I haven’t played a full match in a long time, but it won’t take much to rediscover my form.”
With a career filled with more lows than highs, one thing that is guaranteed is the player’s talent, and if he manages to get on the right side of that, there will be little stopping him next season.
Bakaye Traore (Milan):
A destroyer of play in the middle of the park, Bakaye Traore turned Milan’s gaze towards him after pulling out some emphatic displays with his Ligue 1 outfit Nancy.
Brought in to replace the departed Gennaro Gattuso and Mark van Bommel, the Malian has a heavy weight of expectation placed on his shoulders.
His versatility on the field has often earned him comparisons to Patrick Vieira and he will be working hard to make sure he out lasts the Frenchman’s stay with the Rossoneri.
"I was surprised by the wonderful welcome from everyone. It is a dream come true to play here and now I want to repay that faith on the pitch," Traore told the club's official website.
"I hope to demonstrate my talent here. I have been compared to Patrick Vieira, who at Arsenal showed his ability to perform both in defence and attack.”
From new arrivals in the Italian peninsula, to players changing the colours of their strips; MTNFootball takes a look at the notable African transfers in Serie A.
Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus):
Fearless, hard working, tough tackling and elegant all at the same time, Kwadwo Asamoah was one of the leading men in Udinese’s successful 2011/2012 campaign.
His ability off and on the ball caught sight of many onlookers and he soon became an instant hit on the market with teams lining up to reel the Ghanaian midfielder in.
However, there was little stopping Beppe Marotta from making headlines once again, as his negotiating skills saw him keep the rare talent in Italy and move him over to a city he once lived in; Torino.
Signing for the other black and white half of the city, the 23-year-old couldn’t hold back his emotions.
"It is a dream to play for Juventus. I am only the second Ghanaian after Appiah," he told Juventus Channel.
“Juventus are a very big club that won the Scudetto last term. I saw a lot of their matches and I am delighted to be at this club. Having joined Juventus is the best thing in my life."
Afriyie Acquah (Parma):
Labeled as one of the most promising youth talents to come off the African continent, Afriyie Acquah has made the move from the Island of Sicily to join Parma.
The Ghanaian burst onto the Serie A scene in 2010, but after failing to gain regular game time with Palermo, he was soon scouted out by Roberto Donadoni.
The former Italy coach was adamant to bring him to the Tardini and he managed to get his wish when the 20-year-old made the move.
“I am very happy to be here,” the midfielder noted in his press conference. “I have come to Parma to work hard and earn the starting spot.”
Known to bring out the best in his players of all ages, Acquah is bound to grow into an incredible player under Donadoni.
Mounir El Hamdaoui (Fiorentina):
Like his career, Mounir El Hamdaoui’s transfer to Fiorentina from Ajax Amsterdam has been far from plain sailing.
Expected to arrive in January, after falling out with Frank de Boer, the Viola has had to wait a further six months to acquire his services.
Nevertheless, El Hamdaoui’s arrival is expected to head-hunt a revival in the Tuscany army’s depleted forces and he will be hoping to hit the back of the net frequently for Fiorentina.
“I am very happy to be here and hope to be useful for the squad," the player said upon signing for the Viola. “I haven’t played a full match in a long time, but it won’t take much to rediscover my form.”
With a career filled with more lows than highs, one thing that is guaranteed is the player’s talent, and if he manages to get on the right side of that, there will be little stopping him next season.
Bakaye Traore (Milan):
A destroyer of play in the middle of the park, Bakaye Traore turned Milan’s gaze towards him after pulling out some emphatic displays with his Ligue 1 outfit Nancy.
Brought in to replace the departed Gennaro Gattuso and Mark van Bommel, the Malian has a heavy weight of expectation placed on his shoulders.
His versatility on the field has often earned him comparisons to Patrick Vieira and he will be working hard to make sure he out lasts the Frenchman’s stay with the Rossoneri.
"I was surprised by the wonderful welcome from everyone. It is a dream come true to play here and now I want to repay that faith on the pitch," Traore told the club's official website.
"I hope to demonstrate my talent here. I have been compared to Patrick Vieira, who at Arsenal showed his ability to perform both in defence and attack.”
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