Year of Return: 7 players who have returned to the Ghana Premier League

Sulley Muntari, Sammy Osei Kuffuor and Asamoah Gyan are but a few of the best Ghanaian players who vowed or have vowed to play for either Hearts of Oak or Asante Kotoko before closing the chapter on their careers.

While Sammy Kuffuor is certainly finished as an elite footballer with no hope of ever taking to the field as a professional player again, there is time for Muntari and Asamoah Gyan to fulfil those promises to their teaming fans.

These days Asamoah Gyan plies his trade in India, while Muntari has gone off the radar a bit and is currently clubless but what is true is that those two players, if ever they decide to return to the Ghana League will draw crowds to the stadium.

This is the year the government of Ghana has termed it The Year of Return with the hope that Ghanaians, and for that matter, anyone with their roots in Africa can return and learn about their history.

In the sporting and footballing space to be specific, the Year of Return has resonated with many former Ghana Premier League players and Black Stars players who left the shore of Ghana a few years ago to seek pastures anew returning home.

With the Ghana Premier League set to start on December 27, Ghanaweb.com has compiled a list of old stars who have made a return to the top flight with the hope of relaunching their careers.

Bernard Don Bortey

An enigma. Talented and controversial in equal measure. Don Bortey is a man who has seen it all on the domestic scene having won several titles with Accra Hearts of Oak during their impervious heyday in the early to mid-2000s.

Despite his advancing age, Don Bortey has maintained that he has what it takes to slug it out with the younger folks in the upcoming league campaign.
Set to play for Accra Great Olympics when the league starts On December 27, fans will get to see if Bortey still has the skill and trickery which made him a household name in Ghana a few years ago.

Godfred Saka

Former Aduana Stars captain Godfred Saka has completed his move to Great Olympics ahead of the start of the 2019/20 season.

The veteran right-back joins the 'Wonder Boys' after leaving Nzema based side Karela United in 2018.

Saka has enormous experience on the local scene, having spent almost a decade at Aduana Stars, where he won the Ghana Premier League in 2010.

He is expected to be a key member of the club as they return to the top flight again.


Fatau Dauda
Fatau was released by Enyimba at the end of last season and he is looking for a new club.

Initial talks between the player and Wa All Stars owner John Paintsil has started but no agreement has been reached yet. But from all indications, the experienced goalkeeper will be playing in the league when it commences next weekend.

Fatau who has featured for Okwahu United, Ashanti Gold, Chippa United and Enyimba was the first choice goalkeeper for the Black Stars until the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea.

Emmanuel Clottey
Former Berekum Chelsea Forward Emmanuel Clottey has signed a deal to rejoin Accra Great Olympics ahead of the new Ghana Premier League campaign.

Clottey has been without a club since leaving Yalova FC in 2017.

The 32-year-old has previously played for Tema Youth, Sekondi Eleven Wise, and Asante Kotoko. He also had a brief stint with UAE side Al Dhafra.

The striker will be looking to bring his experience to help the Premier League returnees ahead of the forthcoming season.

Lee Addy

The versatile defender is currently a free agent after terminating his contract with South African second-tier side Free State recently.

Addy who featured for Ghana during the 2010 AFCON, as well as the World Cup in South Africa, has previously played for the likes of Nania FC, Bechem United, Red Star Belgrade, Dialian Aerbin, Dinamo Moscow, FK Cukaricki, Zanaco as well as Free State Stars.

Currently, he trains at Lord’s Wembley Astro Pitch in Sukura (Accra) to keep fit.

Philemon McCarthy

The experienced goalkeeper is currently available after stints in Israel where he was the first choice goalkeeper of Hapoel Afula.

McCarthy who was part of Ghana’s 2006 and 2010 AFCON squad has featured for Ghanaian clubs namely WAFA, Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC where he was a huge success.

He is currently being trained by ex-Black Stars goalkeeper Abukari Damba.

Stephen Adams

The one time Black Stars goalkeeper is a free agent having been released by Zambian giants Nkana FC two seasons ago.

The talented shot-stopper who made a name with Aduana Stars currently trains at the Tema Sports Stadium and has been linked with a host of teams including Olympics and Bechem United.

Adams was part of the Black Stars team which featured in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.