Players Abroad of Sunday, 26 July 2009

Source: ghanasoccernet

Ishmael Addo released by Indian Club

Ghanaian striker Ishmael Addo has been released by Indian top-flight side East Bengal after just one season at the club.

The 27-year-old, former Hearts of Oak player, signed a one-year contract to join compatriot Yusif Yakubu at the club in December last year.

But he has been released after failing to impress at the club who played him as a midfielder even though he is a striker.

Addo will return to his native Ghana to revive his career possibly with his former club Hearts of Oak where he made his name.

But with his experiences abroad Addo is likely to seek a move to play away from the country’s top-flight league.

He was signed by East Bengal as a replacement for Brazilian player Edmilson Marques, who was sidelined due to Hepatitis B.

Addo was tipped as a future world class striker for Ghana after topping the country's scoring charts for three seasons culminating in some action for the Black Stars.

But his quest to play European football ended in frustration as he failed to impress with clubs in France, Israel, Greece and Cyprus.

The failures that dogged his career abroad reared their ugly heads in India as he was played as a midfielder even though he is most efficient as a forward.

Addo has played for several big clubs like Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2004-05 who participated in the UEFA Champions League in that very year.

He was part of Ghana U-17 team that reached the World Cup in New Zealand' 99 where he was the top-scorer.