Geoffrey Acheampong Explained

Geoffrey Acheampong
Fullname:Geoffrey Edwin Acheampong
Birth Date:28 January 1997
Birth Place:Sunyani, Ghana
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Sliema Wanderers
Clubnumber:33
Youthclubs1:Cate School
Collegeyears1:2015
College1:UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
Collegecaps1:22
Collegegoals1:3
Years1:2016–2017
Clubs1:Bastia
Caps1:2
Goals1:0
Years2:2016–2017
Clubs2:Bastia II (loan)
Caps2:11
Goals2:1
Years3:2017
Clubs3:Veracruz
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:2018–2019
Clubs4:LA Galaxy II
Caps4:36
Goals4:5
Years5:2020
Clubs5:AC Kajaani
Caps5:17
Goals5:7
Years6:2021
Clubs6:Elmina Sharks
Caps6:15
Goals6:0
Years7:2021
Clubs7:RoPS
Caps7:14
Goals7:3
Years8:2022
Clubs8:Mosta FC
Caps8:25
Goals8:2
Years9:2023–
Clubs9:Sliema Wanderers
Caps9:29
Goals9:9
Club-Update:13 May 2024

Geoffrey Edwin Acheampong (born January 28, 1997) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who currently plays for Sliema Wanderers in the Maltese Premier League.

Early life and education

Acheampong was born in Sunyani, Ghana, on January 28, 1997, to Alice and Henry Acheampong.[1] [2] He was a part of the Right to Dream Academy and would ultimately move to the United States.[3] He played high school soccer at Cate School in Carpinteria, California, and made worldwide headlines with a goal scored from a distance of 60 yards.[4] [5]

A highly touted prep, Acheampong was rated as the 24th best collegiate soccer prospect in the class of 2015.[6] He continued his soccer career and announced his intention to enroll at the University of California, Santa Barbara.[7] [8] In his only year with the Gauchos, Acheampong made 22 appearances and scored 3 goals.[9] Playing alongside Nick DePuy, the 10 assists he recorded were the highest on the team.[9] The Big West Conference announced Acheampong as the 2015 Freshman of the Year.[10] Despite having played only one year, he was already being highly considered as a top Major League Soccer prospect.[11] He left school after his first season with the Gauchos to pursue a professional soccer career.

Professional career

In June 2016, it was announced that Acheampong had signed with SC Bastia of Ligue 1.[12] [13] On September 18, 2016, Acheampong made his professional debut upon entering as a substitute for Allan Saint-Maximin in a match against AS Saint-Étienne.[14] [15]

Acheampong signed with Veracruz for the 2017–18 Liga MX season.[16] [17]

On March 1, 2018, it was announced that Acheampong had signed with LA Galaxy II.[18]

In June 2020, Acheampong moved to Finnish Ykkönen side AC Kajaani.[19] He made his debut for Kajaani on 27 June 2020 against FF Jaro, where he scored both goals in a 2–2 draw.[20]

In March 2021, Acheampong signed with Ghana Premier League side Elmina Sharks as a free agent.

In July 2021, Acheampong returned to Finland for Veikkausliiga club Rovaniemen Palloseura.[21] [22]

In 2022, Acheampong continued his journey in Malta and spent one season with Mosta F.C. before joining Sliema Wanderers F.C.. He was named MFPA Men's Best XI following the 2023–24 Maltese Premier League season.[23]

Awards and honors

Club

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Geoffrey Acheampong Player Profile – ESPN FC . . September 18, 2016.
  2. Web site: Geoffrey Acheampong – UC Santa Barbara . . September 18, 2016.
  3. Web site: Football and education are the goals at Ghana's Right to Dream Academy . Bouillon . Sophie . July 15, 2016 . www.AWorldAtSchool.org . September 18, 2016.
  4. Web site: Watch spectacular goal as US high school student scores from his own half . Corless . Liam . February 12, 2015 . . September 18, 2016.
  5. Web site: High school soccer player scores insane goal from midfield . Foss . Mike . February 13, 2015 . . September 18, 2016.
  6. Web site: Class of 2015 (High School Seniors) . February 22, 2015 . www.CollegeSoccerNews.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20150707142801/http://www.collegesoccernews.com/index.php/recuiting . July 7, 2015 . September 18, 2016 . dead .
  7. Top 25 Rankings, Youth National Team Players Highlight Signing Day . February 4, 2015 . . September 18, 2016.
  8. Web site: Boys Commitments: UCSB lands local HS star . Eskilson . J.R. . June 16, 2014 . TopDrawerSoccer.com . September 18, 2016.
  9. Web site: 2015 UC Santa Barbara Season Box Score . . September 17, 2016.
  10. Web site: Big West Unveils 2015 Men's Soccer All-Conference Team . November 3, 2015 . . September 18, 2016.
  11. Kennedy . Paul . November 19, 2015 . Top MLS prospects to watch in NCAA Men's Tournament . . . September 18, 2016.
  12. Web site: Ghana youngster Geoffrey Acheampong signs for French side FC Bastia . Darkwah . Frank . June 30, 2016 . GhanaSportsOnline.com . September 18, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160923203838/http://ghanasportsonline.com/index.php/international-news/item/9244-ghana-youngster-geoffrey-acheampong-signs-for-french-side-fc-bastia . September 23, 2016 . dead .
  13. Web site: Boateng, de Jong celebrate Acheampong contract . Dove . Ed . June 30, 2016 . Goal.com . September 18, 2016.
  14. Web site: St Etienne 1 FT 0 Bastia . September 18, 2016 . . September 18, 2016.
  15. News: September 18, 2016 . Saint-Étienne veut se lancer Bastia souhaite confirmer . . . fr. September 18, 2016.
  16. Web site: ¡El africano Geoffrey Acheampong llegaría al Tiburón! . Morales . Jesús . September 7, 2017 . www.xeudeportes.com.mx . Spanish . October 12, 2017.
  17. Web site: Registra Veracruz al ghanés Acheampong . October 6, 2017 . www.mediotiempo.com . Spanish . October 12, 2017.
  18. Web site: LA Galaxy II sign midfielder Geoffrey Acheampong. LAGalaxy.com. LA Galaxy Communications. 2 March 2018.
  19. Web site: AC Kajaani . 25 June 2020 . 4 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200804223928/http://ackajaani.fi/uutiset/ . dead .
  20. Web site: Kajaani vs. Jaro - 27 June 2020 - Soccerway.
  21. News: 15 July 2021 . Ghanalainen Geoffrey Acheampong siirtyy Rovaniemen Palloseuraan – "Hän tietää mihin on tulossa" . Finnish . . . subscription . 22 July 2021.
  22. Web site: Keskikenttäpelaaja Geoffrey Acheampong siirtyy Rovaniemen Palloseuraan . Pikkupeura . Pasi . 15 July 2021 . . Finnish . 22 July 2021.
  23. Web site: Final nominees for MFPA Awards 2024 announced . May 2, 2024 . maltafootball.com . May 20, 2024.