Adjei to play for the USA at the 2016 Olympics

Ghana-born USA youth international Sammy Adjei Jr has set his sights on making the team for the 2016 Olympic Games should the Americans book a place at the tournament.

Born in Tema, the striker has already represented the USA at under-14 and 18 levels, but made a U-turn in 2012, accepting a call-up to Ghana’s under-20 side ahead of the 2013 Africa Under-20 Championship in Algeria.

However, with Ghana failing to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil, the 22-year-old has left the door open on his international future as he looks forward to fulfilling a long-standing childhood dream.

“It’s unfortunate that Ghana didn’t qualify for the upcoming Olympic Games but USA still have a chance [with a playoff game against Colombia in March],” Adjei told Goal.

“My father [Sammy Adjei Snr] played for Ghana at the Barcelona 92 Olympics and claimed a bronze medal from it, so it has always been a goal of mine to feature in the Olympics.

“My job as a footballer is to continue to improve and be ready to show what I can do whenever I’m called upon.

“It’s always an honour for a player to represent his country as I have done for both the USA and Ghana at youth levels. The aim is to get another call-up by the end of the year.”

Having passed through New York Red Bulls’ youth system, Adjei joined Danish second tier side Sydvest 05 in summer 2014 before making a step up to current first division outfit Naestved Boldklub.