One of the biggest stories this summer is the transfer of Dortmund’s Japanese midfield Sinji Kagawa to English side Manchester United in a deal reported to be worth an initial £12m.
It is a treasure chest if it’s compared to the €350,000 Borussia Dortmund paid Cerezo when they signed him 2 years ago.
Although the transfer market often spirals out of control with its huge fees at times, there are well priced gems looking for the a bigger platform to develop and show the world the quality they have.
That is exactly what the Bundesliga and newly promoted side SpVgg Greuther Fürth would be getting from the signing of Baba Abdul Rahman. From the first time he made his more recognisable Asante Kotoko debut against eternal foes Accra Hearts of Oak in the Super 2 Charity game (pre-season fixture) there was little doubt about the player’s ability.
Playing in arguably one of African’s fiercest Derbies (the game was only friendly in name) the player was never fazed with his inexperience at such a level as his youthful exuberance spilled all over the left hand side. His surging runs made all in attendance notice the emergence of a future star.
Rahman went on to become a constant figure in the Kotoko rear guard that shaped their assault on the Ghana Premier League- winning the league with about four games to go. Although he lost out on the award of the Discovery of the year in the Ghana Premier League, he is the one young player who could break into the Black Stars in the immediate future.
Rahman is rightfully touted at the heir apparent to the seemingly eternal vacant throne, which is the left back position of Ghana. He is a natural left sided player, has height on his side and has the attacking nous of a modern full back.
Linked with clubs such as Arsenal and Napoli, a move to a club that has been out of the Bundesliga for the past 15 years can be placed in the modest category. But to keep his development on track this represents a good move football-wise.
In terms of player development Ghana is a few decades back and moves for young players to join some of Europe’s biggest clubs has often proved futile.
Their overall knowledge on how to play the game lags behind and find it difficult to break into these massive European Clubs who often have their eye on the results.
From Emmanuel Bentil through to the recent sorry tale of Dominic Adiyah, joining Europe’s elite from the onset is often not the best way to go for Ghana’s talented youngsters.
More playing time at clubs looking to give youth a chance with the hope of cashing in on them is the best way to go, a style perfected by Udinese.
"I've been received here very well and it has felt right from the first day. This is a very friendly club and ideal for a young player like me. I would like to be here to develop and establish myself in European football." Rahman said of his new club.
With Ghanaian born ex-German International, Gerald Asamoah at the club the friendly club could grow as his new Family.
If Rahman’s development continues on track he could be the starting left back when the Black Stars try to win the African Nations Cups from Zambia in 2013 and although he might never be able to sell as many shirts as Kagawa, he could be the potential big transfer story a few summers from now.
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