André Ayew

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André Ayew
Personal information
Full name André Dede Ayew
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Striker/Winger
Team information
Current team
 FC Lorient
Number 8
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 30 May 2008

André "Dede" Ayew (born December 17, 1989 in Seclin, France), is a Ghanaian-French footballer who plays for French Ligue 1 club FC Lorient on loan from Olympique de Marseille. He is the Son of Abedi Pele and the nephew of Kwame Ayew and Sola Ayew and brother of Jordan Ayew and Rahim Ayew.

Career

Ayew is a prodiguous left-footed attacking midfield product of the Marseille Youth academy. He joined Marseille as a trainee in 2005 and impressed by scoring 11 goals with the second team in 2006–07 season. His younger brother, Jordan, is also on the books of the Marseille youth side.

He was born in Lille, France, when his father was playing Professional football at OSC Lille and has dual French-Ghanaian nationality. The teenage prodigy has long been touted as one of the best youngsters in the France and actually received four call-ups into the French National Youth team, but was prevented from joining them because of minor injuries.[1]

On 28 May 2007, the young midfielder was promoted to the Marseille professional team and signed a three-year deal to keep him at the club until June 2010. "I am grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to play for the first team of this great club," Dede told BBC Sport, "I know this is the result of the hard work I have done since joining the club two years ago. I will not let this opportunity slip past me as I will do everything possible to justify the confidence reposed in my ability."[2]

Marseille coach Albert Emon praised Dede's performance after the teenager played in all pre-season matches for the French giants.

But the youngster is aware that he faces an uphill task to win a first-team shirt at the club where his father won the 1993 UEFA Champions League and also won the French league titles in 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.

"I was very happy when I was told by journalists that the coach praised me during press conference, I am also aware that we have a large squad of highly experienced players so I am patient and I will wait for my chance." Dede said.

On November 6 2007 he made his full debut[3][4] start for Marseille during the UEFA Champions League 2007-08 away game against F.C. Porto at the Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal. He won all-round praise in the French media[5] for his superb performances especially in the individual match-up with Porto defender José Bosingwa[6][7] shrugged off the post-match comments stressing that keeping his place in the side will be his biggest challenge. "It is good to hear the praise from everybody but the most important thing is to stay in the squad and play better in every game," Ayew told BBC Sport.[8]

Arsenal

According to British[9] and French[10][11] media reports, Ayew has been closely watched by Arsenal scouts,[12] with the possibility of a summer deal and a switch to the Emirates Stadium.[13][14]

On August 12 2008, Ayew was loaned to French Ligue 1 club FC Lorient from Olympique de Marseille, where he will spend the 2008/09 Season. He will wear the Number 8 Jersey[15].

International career

He is the son of legendary Olympique de Marseille and former Ghanaian maestro and captain Abedi Pelé.[16] The teenage prodigy is keen to emulate his father, who also won his first Ghana cap as a young 17 year old in the 1982 African Cup of Nations and won the African Footballer of the Year award three consecutive times in the 1990s as the captain of the Black Stars. "Obviously my first choice is to play for my country, for the people of Ghana and to represent Africa in the right way in the eyes of the World.

"Every father wants his son to follow in his footsteps and if God permits I want to better what my father did for our country and Africa. "But if the country that my father did everything for doesn't give me the opportunity, I have to respect the French coaches who have shown confidence in me".[1]

After playing so well at Youth level and making it into the professional l'OM team, a senior International call up was imminent. On 7 August, 2007, young 17 year old André was called up by Ghana Coach Claude Le Roy for a FIFA International friendly match against Senegal in the New Den Stadium in London, England on 21 August 2007.[17] He made his debut for Ghana after coming on as a substitute in the 1–1 draw game.[18]

He was selected for Ghana's 2008 African Cup of Nations Squad and will wear the number 12 jersey.[19]

References

  1. ^ a b "'Dede' could play for France". Author: Ibrahim Sannie. BBC. 2007-07-14. Retrieved 2007-06-20.
  2. ^ "Dede nets professional contract". BBC. 2007-05-28. Retrieved 2007-05-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "Marseille : Gerets veut titulariser Ayew contre Porto". My FreeSport. 2007-11-05. Retrieved 2007-11-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "17 Year Old Ayew Unfazed By CL Debut". Goal.com. 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2007-11-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "André Ayew, un pas de géant". OM.net. 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2007-11-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Avec Ayew se dessine une nouvelle concurrence". Lapagedessports.com. 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2007-11-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Ayew : "Je peux faire plus encore"
  8. ^ "Dede keen to flourish in Europe". BBC. 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2007-11-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "Wenger looks to sign £5m Ghana wonderkid Ayew". Daily Mail. 2008-01-14. Retrieved 2008-01-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Dédé Ayew à Arsenal?". Morefoot. 2008-01-14. Retrieved 2008-01-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "Arsenal se place sur Ayew". Goal.com. 2008-01-14. Retrieved 2008-01-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Wenger gonna get Ayew". Sun UK. 2008-01-14. Retrieved 2008-01-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ "Marseille : Ayew suivi par Arsenal". football365.fr. 2008-01-14. Retrieved 2008-01-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Arsenal are going for son of legend Ayew". Tribalfootball. 2008-01-14. Retrieved 2008-01-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ "Andre Ayew arrive à Lorient!". fclweb.fr. 2008-08-12. Retrieved 2008-08-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ Ayew Pelé : "Je ne veux pas imiter mon père"
  17. ^ "Dede Ayew gets Ghana call up". BBC. 2007-08-07. Retrieved 2007-08-31. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ "Ghana, Senegal share the spoils". Ghanafa.org. 2007-08-07. Retrieved 2007-08-31. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "Black Stars Squad announced". Ghanafa.org. 2008-01-11. Retrieved 2008-01-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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