1. Overview
Samuel Inkoom (born June 1, 1989), also known as 새뮤얼 잉쿰Saemyueol IngkumKorean or サミュエル・インコームSamyueru InkōmuJapanese, is a Ghanaian former professional footballer who primarily played as a right-back. His extensive career saw him play for clubs in nine different countries, including Ghana, Switzerland, Ukraine, France, Greece, the United States, Portugal, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Georgia. A significant figure in Ghanaian football, Inkoom was a key part of the Ghana national team at various levels, contributing to historic victories in youth competitions and representing the senior squad in two FIFA World Cups. His career, while marked by notable achievements on the field, also faced personal challenges, including a significant FIFA sanction related to a property dispute.
2. Early Career
Samuel Inkoom's formative years in football were shaped by his development within Ghana's robust youth and professional club systems, laying the groundwork for his future international career.
2.1. Youth and Early Club Career in Ghana
Inkoom began his professional football career in his native Ghana with Sekondi Hasaacas in 2006. After a period with Sekondi Hasaacas, he moved to Asante Kotoko SC in January 2008, where he quickly made a name for himself. During his time at Asante Kotoko, he was a key player, contributing to the club's success, including winning the Ghana Premier League in the 2007-08 season. There were even reports in the summer of 2008 of a potential offer from FC Barcelona, although this did not materialize.
3. Club Career
Samuel Inkoom's professional club career spanned numerous countries and leagues, showcasing his adaptability and defensive prowess across different footballing cultures.
3.1. FC Basel
On April 26, 2009, Inkoom completed a move from Asante Kotoko to FC Basel in the Swiss Super League, signing a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around 700.00 K USD. He officially joined Basel's first team during their 2009-10 season under head coach Thorsten Fink. He made his domestic league debut for the club on July 12, 2009, in an away game against FC St. Gallen at the Kybunpark, which Basel lost 0-2. Despite this initial loss, Inkoom quickly established himself as a regular starter. By the end of the 2009-10 season, he played a crucial role in FC Basel securing the Double, winning both the League Championship by a three-point margin over BSC Young Boys and the Swiss Cup with a dominant 6-0 victory over FC Lausanne-Sport in the final.
Inkoom scored his first league goal for Basel on September 25, 2010, in an away game at the Letzigrund where his team defeated rivals FC Zürich 4-1. He also made his UEFA Champions League debut on September 15, 2010, against CFR Cluj. On October 19, 2010, during the 2010-11 Champions League group stage, Inkoom scored his first Champions League goal in an away game against A.S. Roma, contributing to Basel's 3-1 victory. He departed the club on January 24, 2011. During his 18 months with FC Basel, Inkoom played a total of 74 games, scoring two goals. Of these, 42 were in the Swiss Super League, three in the Swiss Cup, 19 in UEFA competitions (Champions League and UEFA Europa League), and nine were friendly matches.
3.2. FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and Loan Spells
Following his successful stint in Switzerland, Inkoom transferred to FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the Ukrainian Premier League on January 26, 2011. His time with Dnipro was marked by a notable incident on October 30, 2011, during a league game against FC Karpaty Lviv. Inkoom received a yellow card for removing his shirt while leaving the pitch to be substituted by Yevhen Shakhov. As this was his second yellow card of the game, he was shown a red card, which prevented Shakhov from coming on. Despite the red card, his team managed to hold on for a 2-0 away victory.
In February 2013, Inkoom moved to SC Bastia of the French Ligue 1 on a loan deal for the remainder of the 2013-14 season. The following season, in January 2014, he secured another six-month loan spell, this time with Greek side Platanias F.C.
3.3. Major League Soccer and Subsequent European Clubs
In September 2014, Inkoom ventured across the Atlantic, signing with D.C. United in Major League Soccer on a free transfer, though personal terms were not disclosed. His stay in MLS was brief; on December 8, 2014, he was traded to Houston Dynamo along with Joe Willis in exchange for Andrew Driver and a fourth-round pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. However, Inkoom ultimately did not sign a contract with Houston Dynamo.
On June 11, 2015, Inkoom returned to European football, joining Boavista in the Portuguese Primeira Liga on a three-year deal. He then moved to Turkish-side Antalyaspor, signing a contract on January 6, 2016.
3.4. Later Career in Eastern Europe and Ghana
The later stages of Inkoom's club career saw him continue to play in various European leagues. On February 24, 2017, he joined Bulgarian club FC Vereya. He made his debut for the team on February 26, 2017, in a match against PFC Ludogorets Razgrad in the Bulgarian First League. He departed FC Vereya in June 2017 when his contract expired.
In 2019, he played for FC Dunav Ruse, another Bulgarian club. His journey then took him to Georgia, where he played for FC Samtredia in 2020 and subsequently FC Torpedo Kutaisi from 2021 to 2022. He scored one goal for Samtredia in 14 appearances and one goal for Torpedo Kutaisi in 25 appearances. In the 2022-23 season, Inkoom returned to his home country, joining Ghanaian club Accra Hearts of Oak, where he made 28 appearances and scored two goals. He praised Accra Hearts of Oak after winning the MTN FA Cup in 2022.
4. International Career
Samuel Inkoom had a distinguished international career representing Ghana at multiple national team levels, playing a significant role in several of the country's most notable achievements in international football.
4.1. Youth National Teams
Inkoom was a prominent member of the Ghana national under-20 football team, known as the Black Satellites. He participated in the 2009 African Youth Championship held in Rwanda, where the team emerged as the tournament winner. His success continued with the U-20 squad at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where Ghana made history by winning the cup for the first time for an African nation, defeating Brazil in a penalty shootout. Inkoom was a key player in this triumph, successfully converting Ghana's second penalty in the decisive shootout.
Prior to his U-20 successes, Inkoom was also a member of the Ghana national under-17 football team, the Black Starlets. He was included in the extended squad for the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Peru, demonstrating his early promise in Ghana's youth development system.
4.2. Senior National Team
Inkoom made his debut for the Ghana senior national team, the Black Stars, on November 20, 2008, in a friendly match against Tunisia. His first start for Ghana in a competitive match came on March 28, 2009, in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin, which Ghana won 1-0.
He represented Ghana in two consecutive FIFA World Cups: the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. At the 2010 World Cup, although he did not feature in the group stage matches, he was selected to start in the Round of 16 match against the United States, contributing to Ghana's historic first-ever quarter-final appearance at the World Cup. He also played in the subsequent quarter-final against Uruguay, where Ghana was eventually eliminated after a penalty shootout.
Inkoom was also a part of Ghana's squad for multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including the 2010, 2012, and 2015 editions. In the 2015 tournament, he helped the Black Stars reach the final, where they ultimately lost to the Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout. He scored his first senior international goal for Ghana on February 9, 2011, in a friendly match against Togo. Between 2008 and 2014, Inkoom made 44 appearances for the Ghana national team, scoring one goal.
| Year | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 7 | 0 |
| 2010 | 12 | 0 |
| 2011 | 7 | 1 |
| 2012 | 10 | 0 |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 44 | 1 |
5. Personal Life and Controversies
Beyond his professional football career, Samuel Inkoom's personal life has occasionally drawn public attention, particularly concerning a significant legal dispute that impacted his playing career.
5.1. Personal Life
Born on June 1, 1989, in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana, Samuel Inkoom measures 71 in (180 cm) in height and weighs 168 lb (76 kg). Details about his immediate family and other personal interests are not widely publicized.
5.2. FIFA Sanction and Property Dispute
In April 2015, it became publicly known that Inkoom was involved in a legal dispute concerning property he had rented in the United States during his time playing for D.C. United. He was sued by the landlord of the property for allegedly destroying it and failing to pay rent. This dispute escalated, leading to a significant sanction from FIFA.
On June 23, 2017, the Bulgarian Football Union announced that it had banned Inkoom from playing for one year. This ban came after a legal notice from FIFA, which stated that Inkoom had caused damages to a real estate property valued at 65.32 K USD while he was with D.C. United. The FIFA ban effectively prevented him from playing professional football for a year, highlighting the personal and financial challenges he faced off the pitch.
6. Honours
Samuel Inkoom's career was marked by several significant team and individual accolades, reflecting his contributions to both club and country.
6.1. Club Honours
- Asante Kotoko
- Ghana Premier League: 2007-08
- President's Cup: 2008
- SWAG Cup: 2008
- FC Basel
- Swiss Super League: 2009-10
- Swiss Cup: 2009-10
- Accra Hearts of Oak
- Ghanaian FA Cup: 2021-22
6.2. International Honours
- Ghana U-20
- African Youth Championship: 2009
- FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2009
- Ghana
- Africa Cup of Nations Silver Medal: 2010, 2015
- FIFA World Cup Quarter-finalist: 2010