1. Overview
Kwadwo Asamoah (Kwadwo Asamoahkwə-JOH ass-ə-MOH-ahAkan) is a Ghanaian former professional footballer who primarily played as a left midfielder or left-back, and was also occasionally deployed as a central midfielder. His professional career began in 2008 with Italian club Udinese Calcio, where his consistent performances led to a transfer to Juventus FC in 2012. At Juventus, he played a pivotal role in securing six consecutive Serie A titles from 2013 to 2018, among other significant achievements, despite facing challenges from injuries in his later seasons. He subsequently joined Inter Milan in 2018 and Cagliari Calcio in 2021.
Internationally, Asamoah represented the Ghana national team in four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and two FIFA World Cups, contributing to their success, including reaching the quarter-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. His individual accolades include being named CAF Most Promising African Player in 2010 and receiving the Ghana Player of the Year award consecutively in 2012 and 2013. In 2013, he was recognized by Bloomberg as the 27th best footballer in the world. Asamoah officially announced his retirement from professional football on October 5, 2022.
2. Early Life and Career
Kwadwo Asamoah was born on December 9, 1988, in Accra, Ghana. He began his football journey playing for a local club, Kaaseman F.C., where he was scouted. Following a recommendation, he was recruited by Alhaji Sly Tetteh, the former CEO of Liberty Professionals FC.
2.1. Youth and Early Professional Clubs
Asamoah's development continued through the youth ranks before he joined Swiss club AC Bellinzona. During the winter of the 2007-08 season, he was loaned to Italian side Torino F.C.. This period served as a crucial step in his transition to professional football before his more prominent move to Udinese Calcio.
3. Club Career
Asamoah's professional club career spanned several prominent Italian teams, beginning with Udinese and culminating in his final stint with Cagliari. His journey was marked by significant achievements, particularly during his time at Juventus, alongside battles with injuries.
3.1. Udinese
In June 2008, Kwadwo Asamoah officially signed with Serie A club Udinese Calcio. During his tenure at Udinese, he steadily developed into a pivotal player for both his club and the national team. Under the guidance of coach Pasquale Marino, Asamoah became a key midfield presence. His impressive performances, notably during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, attracted the attention of several top clubs across Europe. In December 2010, his promising talent was recognized when he received the CAF Most Promising African Player award.
3.2. Juventus
In July 2012, Asamoah, along with his Udinese teammate Mauricio Isla, made a significant move to Juventus FC under co-ownership agreements. Juventus paid 9.00 M EUR for 50% of Asamoah's contract. He made an immediate impact, debuting on August 11, 2012, against Napoli in the 2012 Supercoppa Italiana, where he also scored a goal in Juventus's 4-2 victory after extra time. Impressed by his performance, then-coach Antonio Conte selected him for the opening Serie A match of the 2012-13 season against Parma on August 25. Asamoah contributed to a 2-0 home win by setting up Stephan Lichtsteiner's goal. His first league goal for Juventus came on September 16, 2012, in a 3-1 away win against Genoa. Juventus went on to win the Serie A title that season.
In June 2013, Juventus bought Asamoah outright, securing him on a four-year deal. He continued to be a crucial player, scoring a notable goal in a 1-0 home victory over Fiorentina on March 9, 2014. Juventus successfully defended the Serie A title and also won the 2013 Supercoppa Italiana during the 2013-14 season. His strong performances led to his inclusion in the Serie A Team of the Year for the 2013-14 season. Tactically, Asamoah was versatile; at Juventus, he was often converted to a left wing-back in their 3-5-2 formation, where he flourished as a central figure.
However, his later seasons at the club were significantly impacted by injuries. During the 2014-15 season, he suffered a severe knee injury in the 10th league match on November 1, 2014, against Empoli, which sidelined him for most of the season. He eventually returned to training towards the end of the season, making his return to the pitch on May 23, 2015, in a 3-1 home win over Napoli, after Juventus had already secured the Serie A title. On July 23, 2016, Asamoah notably captained Juventus in the opening game of the 2016 International Champions Cup Australian version against Melbourne Victory FC. A month later, on September 25, 2016, it was confirmed he would be out for six weeks with a sprained right knee and a complete tear of the medial meniscus ligament, sustained against Palermo.
In January 2018, reports indicated that Asamoah chose not to extend his contract with Juventus, which was set to expire in June of that year. He made his 150th appearance for Juventus on March 17, 2018, in a goalless draw against S.P.A.L. in Serie A. On May 18, 2018, he officially announced his departure from Juventus via his social media.
3.3. Inter Milan
In July 2018, it was officially confirmed that Kwadwo Asamoah had signed a three-year contract with Inter Milan, following an agreement reached in May. He made his debut for Inter on August 19, 2018, in the opening match of the 2018-19 Serie A season, which resulted in a 1-0 away defeat to Sassuolo.
3.4. Cagliari
On February 3, 2021, Asamoah joined Cagliari Calcio, signing a contract that lasted until June 30, 2021. He made his debut for the Sardinian club on February 28, 2021, in a 2-0 home victory against Crotone. In this match, Asamoah achieved a significant milestone, making his 271st appearance in the Italian Serie A, thereby becoming the most-capped African player in the league's history, surpassing his compatriot Sulley Muntari, who had been tied at 270 matches.
4. International Career
Kwadwo Asamoah received his first call-up and made his debut for the Ghana national team, known as the "Black Stars," in 2009 under the management of French coach Claude Le Roy. He was a consistent presence in Ghana's squad for various major international tournaments.
Asamoah represented Ghana in four editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. He participated in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, where Ghana secured a bronze medal, and the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished as runners-up. He also featured in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, with Ghana finishing fourth in both tournaments.
He played for Ghana in two FIFA World Cups. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he played a key role in helping the team reach the quarter-finals, marking Ghana's deepest run in the tournament's history. He also participated in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. During the group stage of the 2014 tournament, he delivered a memorable assist for Gyan's goal by making a strong run down the left flank and delivering an outside-of-the-foot cross. On October 5, 2022, Asamoah announced his retirement from international football, marking the end of his distinguished career with the Black Stars.
5. Style of Play
Kwadwo Asamoah was widely regarded as a dynamic, hardworking, energetic, versatile, and tactically intelligent player. His playing style was characterized by his notable pace, strength, stamina, and exceptional technical abilities, coupled with a keen understanding of the game. While primarily a ball-winner, his attributes allowed him to be effective both in offensive and defensive roles, enabling him to adapt to several positions across the defense and midfield.
As a predominantly left-footed player, Asamoah's versatility was a key asset. At Juventus FC, he was most frequently deployed as a full-back, wing-back, or wide-midfielder on the left flank. Prior to joining Juventus, he also played in central midfield roles, including defensive, central, box-to-box, or offensive midfielder, and even in the "mezzala" role, showcasing his adaptability across the midfield. Beyond his physical and athletic qualities, he was an agile footballer with good vision. He possessed the ability to make incisive attacking runs and position himself effectively in offensive areas, from where he could create scoring opportunities for teammates through throughballs or crosses from the wing. Asamoah was also known for his precise passing, powerful long-range shots, and skillful dribbling. Despite his talent and versatility, his career was often hampered by recurrent injuries.
6. Personal Life
Kwadwo Asamoah is married to Abena, who has earned an Executive MBA from the University of Ghana. The couple has two children: a son named Jason and a daughter named Jada. Demonstrating his commitment to community well-being, Asamoah made a significant philanthropic contribution in 2020 by donating 20.00 K USD to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi to support efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
7. Retirement
On October 5, 2022, Kwadwo Asamoah officially announced his retirement from professional football. The announcement marked the end of a distinguished career that saw him play for several top clubs in Italy and represent his national team on numerous occasions.
8. Career Statistics
Kwadwo Asamoah's career statistics provide an overview of his appearances and goal contributions across his professional club and international career.
8.1. Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition:
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Udinese | 2008-09 | Serie A | 20 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | - | 28 | 2 | |
| 2009-10 | 25 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 27 | 1 | ||||
| 2010-11 | 38 | 2 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 39 | 2 | ||||
| 2011-12 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | - | 40 | 3 | |||
| Total | 114 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 15 | 0 | - | 134 | 8 | |||
| Juventus | 2012-13 | Serie A | 27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 3 |
| 2013-14 | 34 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 2 | ||
| 2014-15 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | ||
| 2015-16 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2016-17 | 18 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 | ||
| 2017-18 | 19 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | ||
| Total | 116 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 156 | 5 | ||
| Inter Milan | 2018-19 | Serie A | 32 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | - | 42 | 0 | |
| 2019-20 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | 11 | 0 | |||
| Total | 40 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | - | 53 | 0 | |||
| Cagliari | 2020-21 | Serie A | 9 | 0 | - | - | - | 9 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 279 | 12 | 17 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 352 | 13 | ||
8.2. International
Appearances and goals by national team and year:
| Ghana | ||
| Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 6 | 1 |
| 2010 | 18 | 0 |
| 2011 | 10 | 0 |
| 2012 | 11 | 0 |
| 2013 | 14 | 3 |
| 2014 | 10 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 74 | 4 |
8.2.1. International Goals
Scores and results list Ghana's goal tally first.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | June 7, 2009 | Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako, Mali | Mali | 1-0 | 2-0 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2. | January 20, 2013 | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa | DR Congo | 2-0 | 2-2 | 2013 Africa Cup of Nations |
| 3. | February 9, 2013 | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa | Mali | 1-2 | 1-3 | 2013 Africa Cup of Nations |
| 4. | September 6, 2013 | Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, Ghana | Zambia | 2-0 | 2-1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
9. Honours
Kwadwo Asamoah achieved significant team and individual honours throughout his career, particularly during his time at Juventus.
9.1. Club
Juventus
- Serie A: 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18
- Coppa Italia: 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2012, 2013, 2015
- UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2014-15, 2016-17
Inter Milan
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2019-20
9.2. International
Ghana
- Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2010
- Africa Cup of Nations third place: 2008
- Africa Cup of Nations fourth place: 2012, 2013
9.3. Individual
- CAF Most Promising African Player: 2010
- SWAG Sports Personality of the Year: 2012
- Ghana Player of the Year: 2012, 2013
- CAF Team of the Year: 2014
- Serie A Team of the Year: 2013-14
- Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2010, 2012