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Sports News of Thursday, 12 September 2019

Source: footballghana.com

Ghanaian forward Issah Abass to switch nationality to play for Netherlands

Issah Abass Issah Abass

Ghanaian youngster, Issah Abass is on the verging of switching nationality to the Netherlands.

The former Black Starlets forward has been monitored by the Dutch FA following his explosive performance and has officially written to him to switch his nationality to feature for the Orange lads.

"The Dutch FA have approached him [Issah Abass] to switch his nationality to play for the Netherlands U21 side and their senior national team," a close source to the player told Kickgh.com in an exclusive interview.

"His dream has always been playing for Ghana but the country has not handed him an invitation yet. It's a great opportunity for him as a player either to accept or reject the call from the Dutch FA.

"He was approached during his short stint in Holland before returning to FC Utrecht on a season-long loan deal from German Bundesliga club Mainz 05.

The 20 year old will join the likes of Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Memphis Depay who opted to play for Netherlands instead of Ghana.

Abass was part of the Ghana U17 team that disqualified from the 2015 Africa U17 Cup of Nations for fielding an ineligible player.

Also, he earned a call-up to the Ghana U20 ahead of their 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup which was stage in New Zealand.

Following his sterling output in the Slovakian top-flight league with NK Olimpija Ljubljana where he scored 17 goals in 54 matches, he was signed by German Bundesliga club Mainz 05 on a five-year deal.

He was chased by several clubs in Europe including Anderlecht, West Ham United, Atlanta Calcio, Southampton but German side Mainz 05 won the race with a transfer fee of two million euros.

His debut season at Mainz 05 with affected with series of injuries where he made only one appearance in the 2018/19 season.

Mianz 05 loaned him out to Dutch Eredivisie side FC Utrecht on a season-long loan deal this summer.

Abass has scored one goal with an assist in his five-game outings for FC Utrecht in the ongoing season.