Kwadwo Poku (footballer, born 1992)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kwadwo Poku | ||
| Date of birth | 19 February 1992 | ||
| Place of birth | Kumasi, Ghana | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Playing position | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Miami FC | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Asante Kotoko SC | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011–2013 | Georgia Revolution | ||
| 2014 | Atlanta Silverbacks | 25 | (2) |
| 2015–2016 | New York City FC | 34 | (5) |
| 2015 | → Wilmington Hammerheads (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2016– | Miami FC | 11 | (5) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2015– | Ghana | 1 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 June 2016. | |||
Kwadwo Poku (born 10 July 1992) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Miami FC in the North American Soccer League.
Club career
Youth
Poku played in the youth system of his hometown club, Asante Kotoko SC, in Kumasi, Ghana.[1]
Georgia Revolution
In late 2010, Poku moved to the USA and joined 4th division side Georgia Revolution ahead of their 2011 season.[1] Playing as a striker in the 2012 and 2013 NPSL seasons Poku was his teams top scorer and in the 2013 season he also contributed a team-high seven assists. In May 2013, he scored a hat-trick in a 4-3 win over Real Colorado Foxes in the first round of the US Open Cup.[2]
Atlanta Silverbacks
Poku moved to the Atlanta Silverbacks of the NASL on January 24, 2014.[3] During his time at the club he made 25 appearances, scoring twice, including a winning goal in the 91st minute against MLS side Real Salt Lake in the fourth round of the US Open Cup. Silverbacks manager and technical director Eric Wynalda described Poku as one of the best players in NASL, adding that he "might be too good for the MLS too".[4]
New York City FC
In January 2015, Poku was signed by MLS expansion side New York City FC after they acquired Poku's MLS rights from Seattle Sounders FC in exchange for a 2017 MLS SuperDraft pick.[5] Poku quickly became a fan favourite at New York City for his eye catching performances, he was named to the MLS 24 under 24 at the end of the 2015 season.[6]
Miami FC
After failing to earn consistent playing time under new coach Patrick Vieira; he was sold to Miami FC of the NASL in late June 2016, for a reported fee of $700,000.[7][8]
International career
During August 2015, Poku showed interest in playing international football for both Ghana and the United States national teams.[9][10] United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann reportedly approached Poku and asked him to switch nationality following his impressive performance in the MLS for New York City FC however Poku does not have US citizenship.[11]
On 10 October 2015, Poku received his first call up from Ghana for a friendly against Canada. Poku played 8 minutes after being subbed on in a 1-1 draw. [11]
Poku holds a U.S. green card which also qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS & NASL roster purposes.[12]
Honours
Individual
- NYCFC Etihad Player of the month: August 2015
References
- 1 2 Kristan Heneage. "MLS may have its own Yaya Touré in New York FC's Kwadwo Poku | Football". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
- ↑ "Revs Defeat Colorado Foxes in 1st Round of Open Cup - Georgia Revolution". Garevolution.com. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
- ↑ "Kwadwo Poku Signs With the Atlanta Silverbacks - Georgia Revolution". Garevolution.com. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
- ↑ "Eric Wynalda: Klinsmann Will Probably Be Fired If US Doesn't Win a World Cup Game". World Soccer Talk. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ↑ "New York City FC Acquire Midfielder Kwadwo Poku From Atlanta". New York City FC. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- ↑ "Kwadwo Poku has emerged as a star among NYCFCs stars". Espn Fc. 2015-08-22. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
- ↑ http://fiftyfive.one/2016/07/poku-age-panic-nasl/
- ↑ Christian Araos (2016-06-26). "Sources: Kwadwo Poku sold to Miami FC". Empire of Soccer. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
- ↑ "New York City FC midfielder Poku ready for Ghana call up". Goal. 20 August 2015.
- ↑ "Kwadwo Poku says he wants to play for the USMNT". starsandstripesfc.com. 28 August 2015.
- 1 2 "New York City's Kwadwo Poku latest to receive Black Stars call-up for Ghana friendly". Ghanasportsonline.com. 2015-10-10. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
- ↑ Jeff Carlisle (22 August 2015). "Kwadwo Poku has emerged as a star among NYCFC's stars". ESPNFC.com. Retrieved 3 September 2015.