Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United and Ghana)
One of the most sought-after players in this transfer window will be Ghanaian midfield prodigy Mohammed Kudus. However, any club looking to sign him from West Ham United will need to pay a substantial fee.
Kudus made a significant impact in his first season in the Premier League, justifying the £38 million that the Hammers paid to acquire him from Ajax Amsterdam.
He also enhanced his reputation on the international stage, standing out as one of the few impressive Ghanaian players during a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast.
The 23-year-old ended the club season with a goal against Manchester City on the final day of the Premier League campaign, where City were celebrating their victory. He then played a crucial role for the Black Stars, contributing to their victories in Mali and at home against the Central African Republic, earning six vital points in the World Cup qualifying campaign.
There is no doubt that Kudus will be a key component of coach Otto Addo’s team over the next two years as they attempt to qualify for the 2026 finals in North America.
Kudus has rapidly ascended the football ladder, having always shown exceptional promise since joining the Right to Dream academy and beginning his path to stardom.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
He comes from humble beginnings in Accra’s tough Nima neighbourhood.
“When you mention Nima, it’s associated with a lot of violence; it’s like a ghetto where you need to be street smart and tough to survive,” Kudus explained in a recent interview. However, he emphasized that it is also a haven for football talent. “There are many professional players from there. That’s why I always highlight where I come from. Talent can emerge from anywhere.”
“It’s my responsibility to share my story and represent where I’m from,” he says. “I don’t see it as a burden but as a responsibility that comes with the position God has placed me in. I aim to shed more light on this area, attract more scouts, and engage more young footballers there.”
His mother supported Mohammed and his three older siblings by selling food on the streets.
“She risked her life to take care of me and my family,” he explains.
His football journey began at Dynamic Heroes in Nima. At the age of 12, Kudus left his family and traveled several hundred kilometers to see if the 'Right to Dream Academy' could be his springboard to Europe.
It turned out to be just that, thanks to former Manchester United scout and academy founder Tom Vernon, who has a keen eye for talent.
Since 1999, philanthropist and football enthusiast Vernon has literally brought young people into his home to lift them out of poverty, providing them with food, shelter, and education, and offering them the opportunity to capitalize on their talent.
“There is a good chance that the next Lionel Messi or Usain Bolt is in Africa but might not get the chance to develop his talent,” Vernon says.
DANISH PATH TO EUROPE
Right to Dream is now regarded as the best football academy in Africa, and they have even purchased the Danish club Nordsjaelland, providing a springboard for the best young Ghanaian talents to make it to major European leagues.
That was the path for Kudus as well, and he was a national team player before he turned 20, scoring on his debut against Bafana Bafana.
From Denmark to Ajax and then to West Ham, Kudus faced new challenges. “Denmark was very cold. It was different. The culture. But there was no turning back,” he said.
When he signed for West Ham, he flew his mother, Mariam, and brothers Rahman and Fatawu to be present. He remains close to them, his sister Memuna, and his uncles, who often travel with Mariam to watch his games.
“I was ready to make that step [to the Premier League] after the season I had at Ajax. I’m a player who doesn’t want to stay in my comfort zone, and I felt it was time for the next challenge.
“The other clubs were in contact and we were speaking to them, but when West Ham came, things moved fast. I made my decision based on speaking to people around the club, their project, and how they see me as a player. I made the decision based on my gut feeling. That’s how I make my decisions. Whatever the consequences, I take them on myself.
“I didn’t start playing from the beginning, but I was ready for the opportunity. The first proper league game I started was against Everton, and when I got the opportunity, in my head I thought, ‘Yeah, you’re not getting out of the team after this.’ After that game, I started playing regularly and kept doing my thing.”
'KUDUS CELEBRATION'
Now, Kudus has created a phenomenon with his goal celebration. He first did it after a sweet finish against Arsenal in the League Cup: he ran to the sideline, hopped up onto an advertising board, and sat facing the pitch with his back to the crowd.
“I wanted to do something out of the box because most celebrations are pretty normal, like sliding and stuff. I wanted to add more meaning to me scoring,” he explains. “It’s all about sitting down and resting after scoring a goal, but there’s no deeper meaning than that.”
The “Kudus celebration” has now become a trend, even Mohamed Salah borrowed it, and Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, and Rasmus Hojlund did it together after Garnacho scored for Manchester United against West Ham.
“I’ll have to come up with another idea and put more spice into it,” Kudus jokes, but he doesn’t mind the celebration being copied. “Other players are allowed to do it, but soon they will have to start paying taxes!”