Daniel Amartey Explained

Daniel Amartey
Full Name:Daniel Amartey[1]
Birth Date:21 December 1994[2]
Birth Place:Accra, Ghana
Height:1.86 m[3]
Position:Defender, midfielder
Currentclub:Beşiktaş
Clubnumber:12
Youthyears1:2010–2012
Youthclubs1:International Allies
Years1:2013–2014
Clubs1:Djurgårdens IF
Caps1:34
Goals1:0
Years2:2014–2016
Clubs2:Copenhagen
Caps2:44
Goals2:3
Years3:2016–2023
Clubs3:Leicester City
Caps3:106
Goals3:2
Years4:2023–
Clubs4:Beşiktaş
Caps4:18
Goals4:0
Nationalyears1:2012–2014
Nationalteam1:Ghana U20
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2015–
Nationalteam2:Ghana
Nationalcaps2:53
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:4 April 2024
Nationalteam-Update:22 January 2024

Daniel Amartey (born 21 December 1994) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for Süper Lig club Beşiktaş and the Ghana national team.

A graduate of International Allies' youth academy, Amartey played for Djurgården and Copenhagen, before joining Leicester City in 2016.

Club career

Djurgårdens IF

Amartey started out playing for second-tier club International Allies in Ghana where he was spotted as a sixteen-year-old by Magnus Pehrsson who was on a scouting trip in Africa during his preparation to take over as manager of Djurgårdens IF. When Pehrsson became manager he secured the transfer rights for Amartey from the day he turned 18.[4] To help prepare Amartey for his future permanent move to Sweden in 2013, the club brought him over for shorter periods of time in both 2011 and 2012 where he got to play for the club's U21 team.[5] [6]

Amartey made his Svenska Cupen debut on 3 March 2013 against Umeå FC.[7] He then made his league debut in the 2013 Allsvenskan opening game away against Helsingborgs IF on 31 March.[8] Amartey was praised by the media for his strong start to the 2013 season, and foreign clubs like FC Schalke 04 and 1. FC Kaiserslautern started to scout him.[9] [10] On 26 May 2013, he scored his first ever goal for the club when he headed home the 1–1 equalizer in the 2013 Svenska Cupen Final which Djurgården eventually lost against IFK Göteborg on penalties.[11] After his first season in the Swedish league as an eighteen-year-old Amartey was ranked as the 10th-best player in the league by newspaper Expressen and 18th best by Aftonbladet.[12] [13] In November 2013 Amartey confirmed that he was in talks with Liverpool F.C. over a possible move to the English club.[14]

Copenhagen

In July 2014, Amartey moved to F.C. Copenhagen for a fee of €2.5 million plus add-ons, and made his Superliga-debut on 20 July 2014, in a match against Silkeborg IF.[15]

Leicester City

On 22 January 2016, Amartey joined Premier League side Leicester City on a four-and-a-half-year contract for a fee around the region of up to £6 million.[16] In his first season in his new country, Amartey featured five times as his team Leicester City won the Premier League title. He made his debut for the club on 27 February 2016, in 1–0 home league win over Norwich City.[17]

In the 2016–17 season, Amartey became a first team regular following the departure of N'Golo Kanté.[18] partnering teammate Danny Drinkwater in the central midfield role.[19] While his workrate roughly equalled Kanté's, he has been unable to match his tackles and interceptions.[20] On 14 September 2016, Amartey started in his Champions League debut for Leicester in a 3–0 away win over Club Brugge in the group stage.[21] Amartey scored his first goal for Leicester in an 88th-minute equaliser away at Stoke City on 17 December 2016, salvaging a 2–2 draw.[22] On 8 February 2017, just over 12 hours after returning to Leicester from international duty, Amartey played 120 minutes (including AET) in a 3–1 FA Cup fourth-round replay win over Derby County.[23]

In October 2018, Amartey broke his ankle in a game against West Ham United, ruling him out for the rest of the 2018–19 season.[24] [25]

Out of action for nearly a year, the closest Amartey came to a first team return was making the bench for an EFL Cup match against Luton Town in September 2019.[26] He made his first team return almost two years after his injury in an EFL Cup match against Arsenal on 23 September 2020, which Leicester lost 2–0.[27] Four days later he made his Premier League return when he started away at Manchester City in a 5–2 win.[28] On 18 February 2021, Amartey started in his Europa League debut for Leicester in a 0–0 away draw against Slavia Prague in the first leg of the Europa League round of 32 tie.[29] On 6 March 2021, Amartey scored his first goal for the Foxes in over four years, heading in a late winner to seal a 2–1 away league win over Brighton & Hove Albion.[30]

On 15 May 2021, following Leicester City's FA Cup final victory over Chelsea, Amartey was filmed picking up a Chelsea pennant in the Leicester dressing room and throwing it over his shoulder to the floor in a video that went viral. He received criticism and backlash from many social media users, who deemed the gesture disrespectful.[31] Leicester City later issued an apology to Chelsea, who accepted.[32]

Amartey and Leicester started the 2021–22 season with the 2021 FA Community Shield against Manchester City. Amartey played the full match as Iheanacho scored the winning goal, an 89th-minute penalty against his former club.[33]

On 5 June 2023, following the club's relegation from the Premier League, it was announced that Amartey and six other first team players would be leaving the club upon the expiration of their contracts at the end of the month.[34]

Beşiktaş

On 21 July 2023, Amartey signed a contract with Süper Lig club Beşiktaş.[35]

International career

In May 2012 Amartey made his debut for the Ghana national under-20 football team in a game against Nigeria.[36] He was also selected to play in the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup but Djurgården wanted to keep him in Sweden since the tournament clashed with the 2013 Allsvenskan season.[37] In January 2015, Amartey played in all the group matches for Ghana at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Black Stars finished as runners-up.

He played six times at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, lasting 90 minutes in every match to help Ghana finish fourth in the tournament. His performances saw him named in the CAF Team of the tournament.[38] Amartey featured in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon whom the Ghana national team was eliminated in the early stage of the competition.[39]

Career statistics

Club

[40]

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Djurgårdens IF2013Allsvenskan23061291
2014Allsvenskan11010120
Total 34071411
Copenhagen2014–15Danish Superliga2935093436
2015–16Danish Superliga1502030200
Total44370123636
Leicester City2015–16Premier League5050
2016–17Premier League24120108000351
2017–18Premier League802040140
2018–19Premier League900010100
2019–20Premier League00000000
2020–21Premier League121201020171
2021–22Premier League28010109110401
2022–23Premier League2002020240
Total106290100191101453
Leicester City U232017–181010
2019–201010
Total2020
Beşiktaş2023–24Süper Lig1802071271
Career total20142511003853027810

International

YearAppsGoals
Ghana201580
201650
2017110
201810
201900
202000
202170
2022160
202340
202410
Total530

Honours

Copenhagen

2015–16[41]

2014–15, 2015–16

Leicester City

2015–16[42]

2020–21[43]

2021[44]

Beşiktaş

2023–24

Ghana

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed . Premier League . 2 February 2018 . 11 February 2018 . 3 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180203064138/https://www.premierleague.com/news/612828 . live .
  2. Web site: Daniel Armartey . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 23 October 2018 . 17 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210517011438/https://www.11v11.com/players/daniel-amartey-249706/ . live .
  3. Web site: Daniel Armartey: Overview . Premier League . 23 October 2018 . 15 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180415194653/https://www.premierleague.com/players/12306/Daniel-Amartey/overview . live .
  4. Web site: MP om de nya ghananerna . 26 August 2011 . Djurgårdens IF . sv . 1 April 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110910135527/http://dif.se/2011/08/26/mp-om-de-nya-ghananerna/ . 10 September 2011.
  5. Web site: Afrikanska löften på Kaknäs . 27 August 2011 . Djurgårdens IF . sv . 1 April 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130129133434/http://dif.se/2011/08/27/afrikanska-loften-pa-kaknas/ . 29 January 2013.
  6. Web site: Daniel Amartey ansluter i augusti . 11 July 2012 . Djurgårdens IF . sv . 1 April 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130127164406/http://dif.se/2012/07/11/daniel-amartey-ansluter-i-augusti/ . 27 January 2013.
  7. Web site: Ertons hattrick sänkte Umeå . 3 March 2013 . Djurgårdens IF . sv . 12 March 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130308015912/http://dif.se/2013/03/03/ertons-hattrick-sankte-umea/ . 8 March 2013.
  8. Web site: Allsvenskan, herrar Matchinformation: Helsingborgs IF – Djurgården . 31 March 2013 . SvFF . sv . 1 April 2013 . 2 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140202215504/http://svenskfotboll.se/allsvenskan/match/?scr=result&fmid=1995655&html5=1 . live .
  9. Web site: Månsson: Nu har det vänt för Djurgården . 30 May 2013 . . sv . 26 June 2013 . 4 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160504153504/http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/sverige/allsvenskan/djurgarden/article16876660.ab . live .
  10. Web site: Han jagas av storklubbar . 25 June 2013 . . sv . 26 June 2013 . 4 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160504153505/http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/sverige/allsvenskan/djurgarden/article17017046.ab . live .
  11. Web site: IFK Göteborg cupmästare efter straffar . 26 May 2013 . . sv . 28 January 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140202143434/http://svenskfotboll.se/cuper-och-serier/arkiv/cuper-serier/2013/05/goteborg-cupmastare/ . 2 February 2014 . dead.
  12. Web site: Här är allsvenskans 50 bästa spelare – år 2013 . 6 November 2013 . . sv . 28 January 2014 . 4 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160504153507/http://www.expressen.se/sport/fotboll/allsvenskan/har-ar-allsvenskans-50-basta-spelare---ar-2013/ . live .
  13. Web site: Allsvenskans 50 bästa spelare . 26 October 2013 . . sv . 28 January 2014.
  14. Web site: Djurgarden star Daniel Amartey confirms transfer talks with Liverpool . 2 November 2013 . . 28 January 2014 . 3 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160503020931/http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/02/djurgarden-star-daniel-amartey-confirms-transfer-talks-with-liverpool-4170663/ . live .
  15. Web site: Silkeborg IF vs. FC Copenhagen - Football Match Summary - July 20, 2014 . ESPN . 19 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190220002811/http://www.espn.in/football/match?gameId=398600 . 20 February 2019 . dead.
  16. News: Leicester City Sign Ghana Star Daniel Amartey . Leicester City F.C. . 22 January 2016 . 22 January 2016 . 17 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201117194859/https://www.lcfc.com/news/432705 . live .
  17. News: Leicester City 1–0 Norwich City . . 27 February 2016 . 30 January 2018 . 15 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180715134605/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35619679 . live .
  18. News: Leicester City's Daniel Amartey filling the Kante void will take time . Leicester Mercury . 29 September 2016 . 5 January 2017 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160930171817/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/leicester-city-s-daniel-amartey-filling-the-kante-void-will-take-time/story-29763963-detail/story.html . 30 September 2016 .
  19. Web site: Amartey learning from Drinkwater at Leicester. 17 September 2016. 24 September 2020. 29 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221129184421/https://sportsbeatfeed.co.uk/2016/09/amartey-learning-drinkwater-leicester/. live.
  20. News: Leicester City: What has changed at the Premier League champions? . BBC Sport . 9 February 2017 . 12 February 2017 . 24 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180824041306/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38879315 . live .
  21. News: Jennings. Patrick. Club Brugge 0-3 Leicester City. BBC Sport. 14 September 2016. 27 February 2021. 8 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108133228/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37331303. live.
  22. News: Stoke City 2–2 Leicester City . BBC Sport . 17 December 2016 . 30 January 2018 . 5 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180805032822/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38272819 . live .
  23. News: Leicester City 3–1 Derby County Leicester . 8 February 2017 . BBC Sport . 8 February 2017 . 8 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170208125006/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38822191 . live .
  24. News: Leicester manager Puel concerned about injured Amartey. Reuters. 27 October 2018. 30 April 2019. 30 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190430092238/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-england-lei-whu-amartey/leicester-manager-puel-concerned-about-injured-amartey-idUKKCN1N10TH. live.
  25. Web site: Daniel Amartey making 'promising recovery' from horror injury. 17 April 2019.
  26. Web site: Amartey on his way out of Leicester City, claims Ghana defender's agent . Goal . 19 May 2020 . 20 June 2020 . 30 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200530182440/https://www.goal.com/en/news/ghana-defender-amartey-transfer-leicester-city/8cw1nqnu4mjf1s0rvonttsehj . live .
  27. Web site: Leicester 0-2 Arsenal . 23 September 2020 . BBC Sport . 28 September 2020 . 28 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200928223237/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54190606 . live .
  28. Web site: Man City 2-5 Leicester . 27 September 2020 . BBC Sport . 28 September 2020 . 27 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200927224048/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54222449 . live .
  29. News: Sanders. Emma. Slavia Prague 0-0 Leicester: Foxes held to goalless draw in Prague. BBC Sport. 18 February 2021. 27 February 2021. 22 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210222092005/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56103193. live.
  30. News: Mann. Mantej. Brighton 1-2 Leicester: Daniel Amartey scores late winner. BBC Sport. 6 March 2021. 6 March 2021. 6 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210306221746/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56220039. live.
  31. Web site: 16 May 2021. Football fans turn on Daniel Amartey for 'disrespecting' Chelsea pennant [VIDEO]]. 17 May 2021. Citi Sports Online. 16 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210516110632/https://citisportsonline.com/2021/05/16/football-fans-turn-on-daniel-amartey-for-disrespecting-chelsea-pennant-video/. live.
  32. Web site: Leicester issue Chelsea apology over Daniel Amartey FA Cup actions - MyJoyOnline.com. 17 May 2021. 17 May 2021. MyJoyOnline.com. 17 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210517140508/https://www.myjoyonline.com/leicester-issue-chelsea-apology-over-daniel-amartey-fa-cup-actions/. live.
  33. Web site: Leicester City 1–0 Manchester City . Shamoon . Hafez . BBC Sport . 7 August 2021 . 7 August 2021 . 21 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211021081912/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58036460 . live .
  34. News: Seven Players To Depart LCFC . 24 June 2023 . Leicester City Football Club . 5 June 2023.
  35. Web site: Black Eagles strengthen defence with Daniel Amartey. 21 July 2023. 23 July 2023. bjk.com.tr. en.
  36. Web site: Ghana U20 get their revenge against Nigeria U-20 in five-goal thriller . 25 May 2012 . Ghana Soccernet . 1 April 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140408213541/http://www.ghanasoccernet.com/ghana-u-20-outscores-nigeria-in-five-goal-thriller/ . 8 April 2014 . dead .
  37. Web site: Talangen kunde spelat VM – stoppades av Dif . 25 June 2013 . . sv . 26 June 2013 . 4 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160504153537/http://www.expressen.se/sport/fotboll/allsvenskan/talangen-kunde-spelat-vm---stoppades-av-dif/ . live .
  38. News: Leicester City's Amartey in AFCON team of tournament – at centre-half . Leicester Mercury . MJClayton . 6 February 2017 . 9 February 2017.
  39. Web site: Africa Cup of Nations (Sky Sports). 9 February 2022. Sky Sports. en. 9 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220209105345/https://www.skysports.com/football/ghana-vs-comoros/teams/457221. live.
  40. Web site: Eliteprospects.com – Daniel Amartey . 26 June 2013 . Eliteprospects . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130928203226/http://www.eliteprospects.com/football/player.php?player=28115 . 28 September 2013 .
  41. Web site: PHOTOS: Daniel Amartey picks up Superliga and Cup medals in Denmark . social_image . 30 May 2016 . 23 July 2016 . 4 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160704055903/http://ghanasoccernet.com/photos-daniel-amartey-picks-up-superliga-and-cup-medals-in-denmark . live .
  42. Web site: Daniel Amartey: Overview . Premier League . 15 April 2018 . 15 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180415194653/https://www.premierleague.com/players/12306/Daniel-Amartey/overview . live .
  43. News: Chelsea 0–1 Leicester City . Phil . McNulty . BBC Sport . 15 May 2021 . 16 May 2021 . 19 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519215158/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57055571 . live .
  44. News: Leicester City 1–0 Manchester City . Shamoon . Hafez . BBC Sport . 7 August 2021 . 8 August 2021 . 23 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211023093804/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58036460 . live .
  45. Web site: Ghana – D. Amartey – Profile with news, career statistics and history . Soccerway . 23 July 2016 . 8 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160808111525/http://int.soccerway.com/players/daniel-amartey/250541/ . live .