Gossip/Transfers: Yartey Signs Benfica Deal

Gossip/Transfers: Jan-June 2008 | 2007

December

Ghanaian youngster Ishmael Yartey has earned a four-year deal with Portuguese outfit Benefica after impressing on loan. The 18-year-old moved to Portugal from local side Gamba All Blacks on an 18-month loan deal last year. The winger was promoted from the youth team and has been training with the senior side for the past one-and-a-half months. Yartey said: "It's a good deal and I'm very happy with it. The coach likes me and I have been training with the senior team for over a month now.

"I have been playing in my favourite position on the left of midfield and everybody in the team likes me."

Dec 24 - Out-of-contract Ghana captain Stephen Appiah may be on the shopping list of Newcastle

Telecom Egypt have beaten Zamalek to the signature of Ghana youth international Shaibu Yakubu. (FilGoal)

Dec 24 - Hamburg's Ghana-born midfielder Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe hopes he's done enough in trials to win a contract at West Brom.

Dec 24 - Derek Boateng, claims he has completed his move to German Bundesliga FC Cologne. FC Cologne refused to comment when source contacted the German club over the deal.

Dec 20 - Beitar Jerusalem is pressuring Derek Boateng to sign with German side Cologne, Israeli newspaper Haaretz has rerpoted. The German club is willing to pay the most, $500,000, among the three teams interested in him in the Ghana international. Spanish side Getafe and Belgian club Standard Liege are reported to have made bids which are also attractive. Still, Boateng, who decided to leave Beitar during the January transfer window, is wavering. He wants to buy time to see which team will give him the best conditions.

Dec 19 -- Newcastle Jets (Australia) have failed to clinch agreement with former Ghana international Moses Sakyi. The Jets had hoped to secure 27-year-old striker on loan from Portuguese club SC Olhanense but talks broke down over a transfer fee.

Bolton boss Gary Megson has renewed his long-standing interest in Hearts’ Ghana international Laryea Kingston. Meanwhile, Hearts are willing to listen to offers for midfielder. The 28-year-old has attracted the interest of a number of English clubs including Portsmouth and Bolton but the Jambos are yet to receive an official bid for Kingston. Hearts are expecting a bid to come in soon for Kingston, with the club hoping to receive around 3 million pounds for the midfielder.

LI>Gillingham manager Mark Stimson has revealed he would be interested in signing striker Chris Dickson from Championship outfit Charlton.

Michael Mensah moved from Swedish Alsvenska club Trelleborg Fc . to Syrianska FC in the Super one liga.

The Dutch club MVV Maastricht is interested in Anderlecht talent Gideon Boateng. The 17 year old sriker has been playing for Anderlecht's reserves for several years now. Boateng was born in Ghana and arrived in Belgium 8 years ago. He played for Antwerp and Lierse, before joining Anderlecht. He fears that there is no future for him in Brussels and therefore he wants to leave.

Emmanuel Clottey is currently undergoing trails at Israeli side Maccabi Netanya. The 21-year-old is currently on loan from Ghanaian side Great Olympics to Danish team OB Odense until the end of the month, and has not featured in league games this season for the club.
Clottey, who was the top goal scorer in the Ghanaian league two years ago, has had a hard time adapting to European football despite being considered a hot prospect for the future. He was loaned last season to Austrian side Wacker Innsbruck, with whom he played just five times.
The young target striker was held out of training for more than a month between October to November, due to heart problems that came out after a routine examination of the player. Clottey received permission to come back into training, but in Odense they decided not to risk him.
Now he joins up with Netanya’s manager Lothar Matthaus and his team who are currently second in Israel’s top division.

EPL side West Brom are the latest Premiership club to join the chase for Hearts midfielder Laryea Kingston. "Bra Laryea" is also attracting interest from Portsmouth, Wigan and Bolton Kingston, rated at $1.5million, is Hearts' highest paid player and the club could cash in on him to ease their financial problems.

The surprise leaders of the Egyptian league, Petrojet, have snatched Asante Kotoko's star striker ahead of rivals Zamalek. Petrojet have agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract with last season's Ghanaian league top-scorer after Zamalek stalled on giving him a deal. This will be cherished birthday gift for Eric Bekoe, who turns 22 on Wednesday. He netted 17 goals from 22 matches last term. The former Hearts of Oak forward made his senior international debut in a friendly against Mexico in March and has since won more caps against Libya and Gabon.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp plans to return to former club Portsmouth in the January transfer window to sign right-back Glenn Johnson and will renew his interest in Stephen Appiah as he looks to bolster the squad inherited from Jaunde Ramos.

Kaizer Chiefs’ Ghanaian international centre-back Jonathan Quartey, has been invited for a week-long trial at former European Cup champions Red Star Belgrade.

Striker Ishmael Addo has continued his club globe trotting career by signing for Indian top flight side East Bengal. The 26-year-old former Hearts of Oak player signed a one-year contract to join compatriot Yusif Yakubu at the club. Addo has played for several big clubs like Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2004-05 who participated in the UEFA Champions League in that very year. The 26 year old was part of Ghana U-17 team which reached the World Cup in New Zealand’99 where he was the topscorer.

November

Ghana prospect Francis Boadi is being tracked by Arsenal. The 17 year-old winger caught Arsenal's attention at last year's Under-17 World Cup in Japan. Boadi is a player with Great Olympics in the Ghanaian Premiership.
Stoke City may have cooled their interest in Lokomotiv Moscow's Ghana international winger Haminu Dramani. The 22-year-old was set to join City in August but Lokomotiv wanted to keep him until the end of the Russian season. Potters chief executive Tony Scholes told BBC Radio Stoke: "He wants to come, I don't know where his club sits - time has moved on. "I don't know whether he's top of [manager] Tony Pulis' list. It's a maybe, a maybe not".
Arab Contractors midfielder Samuel Kyere confirmed that he received an offer to move to Zamalek in January.
The Ghanaian added that there's another foreign offer on the cards, stressing that he'd rather play abroad than join Zamalek.

18.11.08STOKE have been given the green light to sign Ghana midfielder Haminu Dramani, 22, for £2million from Lokomotiv Moscow.
German side Nuremberg are in discussions with Swedish outfit Gefle IF about signing their midfielder Yusif Chibsah. But the Bundesliga II club face intense competition from Swedish giants AIK Stockholm for the signature of the enforcer.
Tottenham could also be a possible destination for Stephen Appiah as manager Harry Redknapp made no secret of his interest in him when attempting to sign the former Juventus star for Portsmouth earlier in the season.
Redknapp later admitted that Appiah’s wage demands would rule Pompey out of the race but he now has greater resources at his disposal at Spurs and a combative midfield presence would certainly not go amiss at White Hart Lane. Appiah has refused to speculate on a move to North London but is keen to resume his club career in the immediate future.
West Ham, Newcastle and Middlesbrough are all hoping to pick up Ghana captain Stephen Appiah on the cheap. (News of the World)
STOKE will slap down a fresh offer for Lokomotiv Moscow’s £3 million-rated Haminu Dramani – and the winger is determined to force through his dream move to England.
Ghana youth international Abeiku Quansah has been signed by French club Nice on a three-year-deal.

October

Inverness have decided NOT to offer trialist Ibrahim Atiku a contract with the club. The 25-year-old trained with Caley Jags but was not given international clearance to play in a competitive fixture and returned to Africa.
Stephen Appiah is a free agent after being released by Fenerbahce and has attracted interest from Portsmouth and West Ham. The Times says Appiah is now under consideration at crisis club Spurs
Belgian giants Racing Genk have expressed interest in signing Ghanaian defender Nana Asare when the transfer window opens in January. According to media reports in the European country, Genk official Jos Vaessen has approached Mechelen to sign the former U-23 international. It is the second time Genk are seeking Asare after they were turned down in the summer for the signature of the youngster. The 22-year-old joined Mechelen from Dutch side Feyenoord after failing to grab a first team place since joining the side from its satellite outfit Fetteh Feyenoord in Ghana.
Scottish side, Inverness, have taken Ghanaian midfielder Ibrahim Atiku on trial for a week. The 25-year-old has spent several seasons in Sweden, most recently with second division side IF Sylvia.
Leeds United, Millwall, Scunthorpe and Watford are being credited with an interest in Bradley Hudson-Odoi. The Ghana Under-20 international joined Hereford United in the summer following his release by Fulham and has made an impressive start to life in League One. Hudson-Odoi already has three goals to his name for the Edgar Street side, playing in support of a lone striker.

September

23.09: Enoch Adu has sign a professional contract with French Ligue1 side OGC Nice. Enoch has been training with Nice for many months.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger may go back for free agent Stephen Appiah in the coming days. Wenger has held talks with Appiah, who has been released by Fenerbahce, but took a close look at Brazilian Mineiro as an alternative. The Gunners manager has decided against offering terms to Mineiro and is now weighing up returning to the negotiating table for Appiah
Released Fenerbahce midfielder Stephen Appiah has been offered to Chelsea. Blues boss Phil Scolari insisted on Friday that Chelsea want to bring in a short-term replacement for Michael Essien and that man is Appiah. But when Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon contacted Appiah's representatives, he was told the player would only consider signing on a long-term contract.
Harry Redknapp has insisted he is still in the hunt for Ghana international midfielder Stephen Appiah.
Recent reports in Germany suggest that Bundeliga title rivals Bayern Munich and Schalke are ready to slug it out for highly rated Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah
Turkish side Orduspor have landed Hearts of Lions defender Jerry Akaminko. The 22-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Super Lig side.
West Ham are still in talks with Stephen Appiah. The 27-year-old is available on a free transfer after negotiating an exit from Fenerbache
Anthony Annan has signed for Rosenborg, Norway. He signed a contract until 2011 , and cost around 1,25 mill Euros.
John Boye has completed a one-year loan deal with French side Rennes
Kwame Quansah extends his contract at Heracles Almelo 'til 2011
Joetex Frimpong moves to FC Luzern (Lucerne)?

August

South Africa Premier Soccer League side,Free State Stars,have offered two AshantiGold players a three-year deal after impressing on trials.
David Telfer and Jonathan Mensah impressed the club's technical committee during their Phakisa Cup truimph last week.
The duo were recommended by coach David Duncan who worked with them for two years in the Ghanaian Premier League.
"They are still very young," said Stars brand manager,Rantsi Mokoena.
"I was very impressed with their ability to win the ball and passing it to the nearest teammate."
Heart of Lions' striker Dominic Adiyah has completed his move to Norwegien Premier League side Fredrikstad FK. The 22-year-old has agreed a three year deal for an undisclosed fee after an excellent season with the Kpando-based club. He was the second top scorer with 11 goals in the just ended Ghanaian Premier League that helped his side book a slot for next year's Caf Champions League preliminary qualifying rounds. Adiyah joined Heart of Lions from Gomoa Fetteh Feyenoord last term and his impressive display earned him a call-up into the local Black Stars squad that played in the CHAN qualifiers.
Italian side, Lecce remain keen on securing the services of Ghanaian international midfielder, Mark Edusei. Edusei is available from Catania and has both Lecce and Serie B Empoli chasing his signature.
21.08.08: Ransford Osei is in Israel to begin a loan spell with Meccabi Haifa that will last until December 2008. The junior international who turns 18 in December arrived in Israel on Thursday for the beginning of his long awaited professional football career.
Osei had to give up his dream of playing in England with Manchester City, because of England’s strict national team cap requirements, while a proposed move to Poland fell through after difficulties to acquire a Polish work permit.
Osei scored six goals as Ghana reached the semi-finals of the 2007 World U-17 Championships last year and is an integral member of the Ghana U-20 side that is seeking to reach the World U-20 Championships next year.
18.08.08 (Ghanasoccernet) Haminu Dramani has held his first trial session with English side Stoke City. The Russia-based player arrived in England on Tuesday for observation by the Premier League newboys as he has already impressed the club. Haminu is expected to complete his medical by tomorrow before signing a three-year contract.
Isaac Boakye will play in the Bundesliga 2 this season after signing up for FC Nürnberg from VfL Wolfsburg. No details of the fee for the 26-year-old Ghanaian international was disclosed. Boakye was recalled by VFL Wolfsburg for the upcoming Bundesliga season after spending the first part of the year on loan at Mainz 05. He joined Wolfsburg in 2006 after three successful seasons at Armenia Bielefeld where he scored 24 times in 61 games.
But he has been ravaged by injuries and fell out with Felix Magath who decided to farm him
Aug. 10: French club Lorient are reported to have written to rivals Marseille hoping to sign Andre Dede Ayew on loan. Dede, son of Ghana legend Abedi Pele, is reported to be frustrated after being left out of first team action this weekend. The 18-year-old will find playing time few and far between this season because of the purchase of striker Bakari Kone and the availability of Mamadou Niang and Djibril Cisse.
Reports in French newspapers say Lorient are keen on giving the Ghanaian youngster playing time for one season.
West Ham are considering making a bid for Ghana captain Stephen Appiah
Godwin Antwi has taken a short trip across the Mersey to join League One side Tranmere Rovers on loan until January 2009. The Ghana born reserve team defender, who joined Liverpool from Real Zaragoza in 2005, spent a season long loan at Hartlepool United last season.
Six Ghanaian players are ready to make an impact in the cyprian league this season. Peter Ofori-Quaye signs for top club AEL Limassol from Hapoel Kyriat Shmone in Israel. Kofi Amponsah signs for AE Paralimni from Appolon Kalamarias in Greece. Imoro Lukman signs for AE Pafos from Bnei Yehuda in Israel. Daniel Edusei signs for Ethnikos Achnas from Aigaleo Athens in Greece. Yaw Rush signs for APE Pitsilias from a lower league club in Cyprus. Ibrahim Atiku is also said to be in negotiations with clubs in Cyprus. Emmanuel Pappoe is still with AEK Larnacas.
Premier League Fulham completed the signing of defender John Pantsil from London rivals West Ham United. Pantsil signed for three years.
13.07.08: Juventus are reported to be in the hunt to sign Portsmouth’s Sulley Muntari in a deal reportedly worth £12 million, claims the Sunday Mirror
Wigan target John Mensah is believed to be discussing a move to champions Lyon in order to replace Sebastien Squillaci, who is on the verge of joining Sevilla. Ghana international and Rennes centre back Mensah, 25, has reportedly been offered the chance to move to Stade Gerland on a four-year deal.
09.07: Udinese striker and Ghana international Asamoah Gyan is on the verge of moving to Rennes, according to general manager Pierre Dreossi.
Emmanuel Bentil has joinded Israeli club Hapoel Nazareth from Kathoco Khan Hoa of Vietnam.
LI>Christian Gyan completed a successful trial for the Finnish club Turun Palloseura, in June, and signed a 6-month deal with TPS on 3 June.
Samuel Yeboah has signed a 5-year deal with Hapoel Tel Aviv. He moves from Hapoel Kfar Saba.
Ahmed Barusso loaned by AS Roma to fellow serie A side Siena.
Everton are reportedly interested in signing midfielder who has been heralded as "the new Michael Essien". Anthony Annan, currently at Norwegien club IK Start, has apparently signalled to his agent that he is ready to move, sparking interest from ourselves, Boro, and Man City.
Bradley Hudson-Odoi moves from Fulham to Hereford United for Free
Wigan Athletic are remaining in contact with Rennes for defender John Mensah. The Wigan Evening Post says Latics boss Steve Bruce is still hopeful of signing the Ghana international.
C.K. Akonnor will return to Germany and work together with Uwe Kathmann, a well known players consultant. CK will keep himself fit in the Niedersachsenliga (level 5, same as Fameyeh) for SC Langenhagen (not far from Wolfsburg, the club he served for 7 years). Akonnor returns from a spell in Cyprus with ALKI Larnaca.