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Sports News of Sunday, 14 June 2015

Source: goal.com

Daniel Kofi Agyei discusses his charity tournament

The ex-Black Satellites midfielder is excited that his project to help young footballers in his area is progressing well and he hopes it will be bigger next year

Former Ghana U20 international Daniel Kofi Agyei has emphasized that his quest to help young footballers is progressing well and next year's edition of his foundation's charity cup tournament will be even bigger than what was witnessed on Saturday.

The Fiorentina midfielder is ready to involve more teams as he seeks to contribute in helping young footballers near Osu in Accra where he was born and bred.

The tournament, which attracted foreign-based players such as Nii Nortey Ashong also of Fiorentina, Bright Addae of Parma and others, saw second-tier side La United defeating Obonu FC by five goals to four on penalties in the final to win the trophy after they were tied 0-0 within regulation time.

"I am overwhelmed by the support I have got and I thank every one who made this maiden edition of the charity game a success. This is the beginning and it was well-organised, next year will even be bigger," Agyei told Goal.

"My foundation was set on May 14, 2014 to help up-and-coming footballers from the vicinity where I was born,” he continued, “this is one of the top things on my radar.

“I believe that through me, some players will get the chance to travel to Europe as I will give the video clips to agents in Italy when I go back.

"This time, we had four teams, namely Galatians FC, Mandela FC, La United and Obonu FC, but in the subsequent edition we will invite more teams to participate."

The midfielder further emphasised that he is ready to have a permanent place at Fiorentina after spending last season on loan at Lega Promo Benevento Calcio, where he propelled them to the Serie B play off.

"I am ready to have a lasting place in the Fiorentina first team,” he continued, “I just want the coach to give me the chance and I will grab it with both hands.

“It was a wonderful season on loan playing 32 games and scoring twice from my defensive midfield role for me and I was happy with my output."

Agyei, 23, captained Fiorentina’s U20 team and helped them to win the treble in 2011 where he was also voted as the best midfielder in the Primavera Division of the Italian league.

He has also played on loan at then-Serie B side Juve Stabia.