Ghana U20 star Emmanuel Essiam completes move to Swiss giants FC Basel
Swiss giants, FC Basel have announced the signing of midfielder Emmanuel Essiam from Ghana Premier League side, Berekum Chelsea.
The 20-time Swiss champions made the announcement of the deal on January 3, across all their social media platforms after both parties agreed on a four and a half year deal for the youngster that runs till 2026.
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๐ฌ๐ญ FC Basel are delighted to announce the signing of 18-year-old Ghanian U20 international, Emmanuel Essiam!
The midfielder signs fromย @BerekumChelseaFย in the Ghana Premier League on a contract until June 2026.ย #FCBasel1893ย #MirSinBaselย pic.twitter.com/yaJaCFPqFj
โ FC Basel 1893 ๐ฌ๐ง (@FC_Basel_en)ย January 3, 2022
The Ghana U-20 international, in his first interview with his new club, said he immediately made up his mind as soon as he heard of the interest from FC Basel.
โThe first time I heard FC Basel was interested in me, I was excited and it was a yes for me already,โ he said.
According to Essiam, who seems excited about the move, hopes to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Mohamed Salah, Mohamed Elneny and countryman Samuel Inkoom, by flourishing at Basel.
โThe knowledge of the size and history of the club, the enthusiastic fans, the national and international successes as well as the stories of African players like Mohamed Salah, Mohamed Elneny and Samuel Inkoom, who launched their European careers at FCB, made me feel that Basel would be the perfect step for my development and my career,” he said.
“I’m a central midfielder, I run a lot, I like to go into one-on-one fights and I like to play dominant football with my team. With my game overview, I can support the team both in attack and defense. In the game, I try to break through the opposing lines with clever passes. I feel honoured and happy to be with FCB!”
Essiam was an integral member of the Ghana U20 team that won the 2021 Africa U20 Cup of Nations tournament in Mauritania where he featured in all games for Black Satellites and also lasted the entire duration.