Abu Francis inks contract extension with Cercle Brugge

Ghanaian midfielder Abu Francis has signed a one-year contract extension with Cercle Brugge, keeping him at the Belgian club until at least the end of the 2023-24 season.

The deal also includes an option for an additional year, reflecting the club's faith in the 23-year-old's abilities.

Francis joined Cercle Brugge in the summer of 2022 from the Danish club FC Nordsjælland and quickly established himself as a key player for the Green and Black. In his debut season, he featured in 33 games, scoring two goals and providing three assists.

The versatile midfielder, who can operate both defensively and offensively, began his career at the renowned Right to Dream Academy in Ghana. His impressive performances for Cercle Brugge earned him a call-up to the Ghanaian national team, making his debut in a friendly against Uganda in March. He was also on the bench for Ghana's friendly against Nigeria.

Francis' progress was temporarily halted by an injury at the start of the current season, which kept him out of action for six months. However, since his return in February, he has featured in every game, including the Champions' Play-Offs. To date, he has made 15 appearances in the Belgian Pro League this season.

With his contract extension, Francis will look to build on his promising start at Cercle Brugge and continue his development as a top midfielder in European football.