Daniel Opare's fresh start at Augsburg

Were it not for Daniel Opare, there may never be any Ghana international who could ever pride himself as having passed through the revered Real Madrid Academy system. Boasting state-of-the-art facilities, the Castilla is one of the most glamourous youth training centres in modern football. Predictably, with such privilege comes great expectations – one which could make or break.

Plagued with persistent injuries, Opare has barely ever seen out a full season to date, and has often set to be another of the great failures of African football. Why shouldn’t anyone be quick to write off the latest Augsburg acquisition?

Now at his seventh club, it’s impossible to dispute that Opare hasn’t quite lived up to his early hype. A revelation at the 2007 Under-17 World Cup, the marauding right-back joined the Spanish giants in 2008 after a rather short spell with Tunisian outfit Sfaxien. That was where it all began.

Like Danny Carvajal, the latest Castilla right-back to have made a successful progression, it was hopped the enterprising and swashbuckling defender would make the famous step up. It was not the case.

Unable to make a competitive senior debut, the versatile defender moved to Belgian side Standard Liege in 2010. For a moment, it appeared a comeback was on track when he joined Portuguese side Porto in May 2014 following several years of splendid service in the Jupiler League.

Be that as it may, recurring injuries ensured the right-back left without a single competitive appearance, joining Turkish side Besiktas for the second half of season 2014-15 on loan until his latest permanent move to Augsburg after severing ties with the Portuguese outfit. Another false start.

However, still just 24, there’s still every chance for the right-back to join soccer’s elite.

True talent, they say, never dies. In the midst of the disappointment, there’s no denying the player’s gifts. A real example of a modern-day right-back, Opare is blessed with pace and limitless energy.

His knack for joining the attack, or better still, starting one, has earned him rave reviews. With Opare once earmarked for an illustrious career – with Madrid jumping for him at such a tender age - then there must surely have been something to ignite the interest.

His recent spell at Besiktas showed he has not lost it all. Playing out of position on the left side in a Europa League encounter against Liverpool last February, his last high-profile game, the ex-Ashanti Gold defender showed glimpses of what had made him fans’ favourite at a tender age.

Two tackles, one interception, seven clearances and five successful dribbles read his match stats. That he did so well out of position proves his versatility – a priceless attribute in the modern era.

One significant factor in latest new-kid-on-the-block Abdul Rahman Baba’s meteoric rise to fame has been his ability to pick his spots and time his moves well. Opare could stand to harness the same environment which made a global brand of the 21-year-old over just a season - and also benefit from the progressive project that is Augsburg.

Opare certainly has the ability and, in the context of minnows Augsburg, the experience to be a star man for the Europa League novices. His recent exploits in Turkey demonstrate that he still has the quality to thrive in a major league and for the national side. If he can escape the injuries that have so plagued his career to date and find the consistency that has been absent since he left Belgium, he can ensure that his legacy is not of another flop from the Real Madrid Castilla who never made the most of his talents.