FootyDream

Samuel Asamoah, the newly acquired right-back for Asante Kotoko SC, has expressed his excitement about joining the club, considering it a significant step forward in his career.

The 23-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the Porcupines after successful negotiations and agreement, as officially confirmed by the club.

Having showcased his talents with Bofoakwa, Asamoah played a pivotal role in ending their sixteen-year absence from topflight football.

During the previous season, he made 18 appearances in the division one league, contributing five assists. In an interview with the club’s official website, Samuel Asamoah shared his familiarity with Kotoko’s history and their legacy of right-backs. He expressed his determination to give his all on the field to earn his place among the elite.

“This is a great step for me because it has been the club I have always prayed for, and to be here finally means a lot.

“I know fans of Kotoko do not take their number-two position lightly because of names like Frank Amankwaa, Aziz Ansah and Amos Frimpong, but I will be ready to do my best to be remembered like these legends.”

As the new season approaches, he is set to join his teammates for preseason training, ensuring he is well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

Asante Kotoko has officially confirmed that they have reached a mutual agreement to terminate the contracts of four players, as part of their ongoing rebuilding efforts.

The decision comes after a challenging 2022/23 season where the team faced setbacks in retaining the Premier League title and making an impact in both the CAF Champions League and FA Cup.

The team’s restructuring began with the dissolution of the technical and management teams, followed by the appointment of a four-member Interim Management Committee (IMC) led by James Kwesi Appiah as Technical Director and Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum as Head Coach.

In line with their preparations for the upcoming season, the IMC has made the choice to part ways with the following players: experienced defender Mohammed Alhassan, Charles Owusu, Dickson Afoakwa, and Samuel Boateng, who spent part of the previous season on loan at Samartex.

Charles Owusu, Dickson Afoakwa, and Samuel Boateng joined Asante Kotoko in 2021 and were contributors to the team’s league title victory in the 2021/22 season under the guidance of Prosper Narteh Ogum. Mohammed Alhassan, who joined the club earlier in the year after leaving Hearts of Oak, struggled to replicate his previous form and made only 8 appearances for the team.

These departures mark the latest in a series of mutual partings between the club and players, following winger Joseph Amoako’s exit. Additionally, Asante Kotoko has also announced the acquisition of new talents: Henry Ansu and Kalo Ouattara from Berekum Chelsea, Yahaya Dawuni from Susubiribi SC, Nanabayin Amoah from Venomous Vipers, and Andrews Ntim Manu on a free transfer. The club remains committed to rebuilding and strengthening the squad for the upcoming season.

Asante Kotoko is reportedly on the verge of terminating midfielder Rashid Nortey’s contract, just eight months after his arrival at the club.

Nortey had inked a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Porcupines during the January transfer window. Despite his initial promise, the 27-year-old midfielder had limited game time at the club, making only seven appearances and scoring once, mainly due to a recurring injury issue.

After observing Nortey’s persistent injury problem, the club sought assistance from Dr. Kwasi Twumasi-Baah Jnr at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for a thorough assessment.

Coach Dr. Ogum, while discussing his plans for the short and long term at Beposo, informed the former Medeama star that he does not feature in his vision for the club, primarily due to his history of injuries.

Nortey has already engaged in discussions with the club’s Administrative Manager, Emmanuel Dasoberi, to initiate the process of contract termination.