Dundee United are delighted to announce the signing of Emmanuel Agyei on a permanent transfer from Israeli Premier League side FC Ashdod.
The Ghanaian starlet kickstarted his career in his homeland with top-flight outfit Dreams FC, based in the country’s Eastern region.
Aged just 19, he turned out 25 times during his first full season as a professional for the Believers, aiding their efforts to secure the highest league finish in their history. Agyei and his colleagues also kissed silver at the end of the 2022/23 campaign by defeating King Faisal in the FA Cup Final.
This triumph granted them entry into the pan-continental CAF Confederation Cup competition, in which the midfielder starred throughout an odds-defying run to the Last Four. On domestic duty, our new recruit accrued over 2,000 minutes of senior action throughout the campaign.
Furthermore, his burgeoning displays in the engine room brought international recognition, as he was selected to represent Ghana at the 2024 African Games. The Black Stars remained undefeated throughout the group phase, swept Senegal aside in the Semi-Final and ultimately claimed the Gold Medal with a 2-0 victory over Senegal.
Agyei’s exploits on home soil attracted the attention of FC Ashdod, and he rubber-stamped his switch to the Yud-Alef Stadium ahead of 2024/25 to replace the departed Isaac Pappoe.
Whilst racking up 27 appearances for the Dolphins across the past two terms, the 21-year-old has topped the interception and progressive pass charts when compared with his peers.
He also enjoyed a brief loan stint in the second tier with Hapoel Ramat Gan during his time in the Middle East.
A REAL HUNGER TO IMPROVE
Dundee United Manager Jim Goodwin offered his assessment on his latest signing, commenting: “Emmanuel is a player who’s energy and willingness to play forward quickly caught our attention.
“He’s comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and has shown he can operate in different roles, whether that’s sitting in front of the backline or playing in a more advanced, box-to-box position
“Emmanuel has extensive experience of senior football in Ghana, having made in excess of 70 appearances back home in the top flight, whilst he has become a more polished and rounded midfielder during his time in Israel playing against strong European opposition.
“His career path shows a mental toughness and willingness to challenge himself in new environments, and that’s exactly the type of character I’m keen to add to my existing group.”
He concluded: “We see this move as the next step in his development. He’s still only 21, but he arrives with a clear understanding of his responsibilities on the pitch and a real hunger to improve.
“We’re confident he’ll adapt well to the demands of Scottish football and give us energy, composure and athleticism in the middle of the park, and the statistical evidence supports our view.”
