Mohammed Kudus is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or right midfielder. He currently represents Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Ghana national team.

A product of the Right to Dream Academy, Kudus began his professional career with Nordsjælland and later signed for Ajax in 2020, where he won two Eredivisie titles and a KNVB Cup before joining West Ham United in 2023. After two seasons at West Ham, he moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2025.

Kudus has had an extensive journey representing Ghana at both the under-17 and under-20 levels. He made his senior team debut in 2019 and participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup as well as the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Early Life and Education

Kudus was raised in a humble environment in Nima, a suburb of Accra. His upbringing was significantly influenced by his mother, Mariama Suleman, and his grandmother, who emphasised the importance of education.

Growing up in a challenging community instilled in him a strong spirit of resilience and determination necessary for success in European football.

Kudus began playing football at a young age on local sand pitches, which helped him develop quick reactions and technical ball control. He played for local teams, including Dynamic Heroes and Strong Tower FC, before being scouted during a "Books and Boots" tournament at the age of 12.

This led to a scholarship at the Right to Dream Academy in Akosombo, where he spent six years (2012–2018), receiving a full residential scholarship that encompassed education, housing, and football training. The academy promotes character development and academic excellence alongside athletic performance.

His mother enforced a strict rule relating to academics: if he did not pass his school exams, he could not play football. Kudus credits this foundation with helping him navigate professional communications and contracts successfully.

He has also returned to his school, the Nima Cluster of Schools, to donate books and equipment as part of his "Kudus Dream" initiative.

Club Career

1. Nordsjælland:

Kudus joined the Danish club Nordsjælland in January 2018 from the Right to Dream Academy alongside his teammates Ibrahim Sadiq and Gideon Mensah.

He made his official debut just three days after his 18th birthday, playing from the first minute in a match against Brøndby IF, making him the ninth youngest player to debut for the club.

2. Ajax:

On July 16, 2020, Kudus signed with Ajax for €9 million on a five-year contract. He made his debut on September 20, scoring one goal and providing three assists in his first three appearances.

He also debuted in the UEFA Champions League against Liverpool on October 21, 2020, but suffered a meniscus injury just six minutes into the game, which sidelined him for several months. After returning in January 2021.

He suffered a setback in his recovery and missed the rest of the matches in January before returning to action in February. On 21 February 2021, he returned to Ajax's starting eleven for the first time since October 2020, and he scored a goal in a 4–0 win against Sparta Rotterdam.

Kudus played an integral role in Ajax's campaign, contributing to their domestic double success at the end of his first season, making 22 appearances and scoring four goals. He won his first career title, the 2020–21 KNVB Cup, on April 18, 2021.

Unfortunately, injuries continued to plague him, including an ankle injury reported on July 25, 2021, and he was training separately from the rest of the team ahead of the 2021–22 season.

He made his return from injury on 21 September, and another setback while representing Ghana in November 2021 kept him sidelined for three months. He returned to action on February 14, 2022, against Twente.

While recovering from his injuries and restricted from first-team appearances, Kudus played four matches for Jong Ajax in the Eerste Divisie, scoring four goals, including a hat-trick against ADO Den Haag.

On 17 April, he made a brief appearance in the 2022 KNVB Cup final, coming on in the 86th minute for Davy Klaassen. Ajax lost the final 2–1 to PSV. Following his return, Kudus participated in 11 out of 13 league matches, starting in just two, as Ajax secured the 2021–22 Eredivisie title.

 Breakthrough and Final Seasons (2022 - 2023)

Kudus marked his breakthrough by scoring his first Champions League goal on 7 September 2022 in a 4–0 victory over Rangers. On 19 February 2023, he scored from a free-kick in the 84th minute against Sparta Rotterdam, helping Ajax to a 4–0 win.

In a poignant tribute to fellow Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu, who tragically passed away in the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake, Kudus celebrated his goal by revealing a message on a shirt underneath his Ajax kit, reading, "RIP Atsu." He finished the 2022–23 season with an impressive tally of 18 goals and six assists in 42 appearances.

Kudus began the new season on 12 August 2023 with a goal in the 75th minute during Ajax's 4–1 opening-day win against Heracles. He further showcased his prowess by scoring a hat-trick in his final match for Ajax, a 4–1 victory against Ludogorets in a Europa League play-off first-leg qualifier on 24 August.

 West Ham United

On 27 August 2023, Kudus signed a five-year contract with Premier League club West Ham United for an undisclosed fee, reported to be €44.5m (£38m) plus add-ons. He became the third Ghanaian player in West Ham's history, following John Paintsil and André Ayew, and the second most expensive Ghanaian footballer ever, trailing only Thomas Partey.

Kudus made his professional debut on 1 September in a 2–1 away victory against Luton Town, entering the game as a substitute in the 91st minute. He scored his first goals for West Ham in a 3–1 home win against Serbian side Bačka Topola on 21 September during the group stage of the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League, netting a brace.

On 9 October, he secured his first Premier League goal against Newcastle United in the 89th minute, equalising the game at 2–2. A notable highlight of his early career was a stunning scissor kick goal against Brentford in November 2023, which earned him the title of West Ham's Goal of the Month.

Kudus continued to impress, scoring a remarkable goal on 14 March 2024, described as a "goal of the season contender" by former West Ham midfielder Joe Cole. In that match against German side SC Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League round of 16, he picked up the ball in his own half, dribbled past three defenders, and finished past Noah Atubolu, contributing to a 5–0 victory.

On 30 March, after scoring in a 4–3 away defeat against Newcastle United, Kudus became the top-scoring Ghanaian for West Ham, surpassing André Ayew's previous record of 12 goals, finishing his debut season with an impressive total of 13 goals. He also led the Premier League in successful dribbles, achieving 124 throughout the season.

 Tottenham Hotspur

On 10 July 2025, Kudus transferred to fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £55 million, signing a six-year contract. He made his debut for the club on 13 August in the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, which ended in a penalty shootout loss following a 2–2 draw in regulation time.

Kudus made his first league appearance for Tottenham on 16 August, assisting two goals in a 3–0 victory over Burnley. He scored his first goal for the club on 4 October in a 2–1 away victory against Leeds United and netted his first home goal on 29 November during a 1–2 loss to Fulham.

Additionally, on 9 December, he marked his Champions League debut with a goal in a 3–0 win over Slavia Prague.

Unfortunately, on 8 January 2026, it was reported that Kudus would be sidelined due to a thigh injury sustained during a match against Sunderland on January 4.

The injury, confirmed by Tottenham manager Thomas Frank to be a significant tendon-related quad strain, is expected to keep him out for at least 13 games across all competitions, including key matches against Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool.

International Career

Kudus has been part of the Ghana national team since 2019, contributing several goals. However, his international career faced a setback on 14 November 2021 when he sustained a ruptured rib injury during a World Cup qualifier against South Africa.

This injury kept him sidelined for almost three months, causing him to miss the delayed 2021 African Cup of Nations despite being named in the final squad.

He returned to the Ghana squad for the final 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification playoff against Nigeria, playing a crucial role as Ghana qualified for their fourth World Cup tournament.

In November 2022, Mohammed Kudus was called up to the 26-man Ghana squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In his World Cup debut, Ghana faced Portugal and suffered a 3–2 defeat. However, Kudus made a significant impact in the next match, scoring twice in a 3–2 victory over South Korea.

Unfortunately, Ghana needed at least a draw in their final group match against Uruguay to advance but lost 2–0, finishing fourth in their group and being eliminated from the tournament.

Fast forward to January 2024, Kudus was selected for the 27-man squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, held in the Ivory Coast. After a 2–1 loss to Cape Verde in their opening match, Ghana drew 2–2 with Egypt, where Kudus scored a brace.

In their final group stage match against Mozambique, Kudus won a penalty that was converted by Jordan Ayew. Despite being two goals ahead in the match, Mozambique equalised, and with Egypt scoring a late goal against Cape Verde, both Ghana and Mozambique were eliminated from the tournament, allowing Egypt to advance to the knockout stages.

On 12 October 2025, Kudus scored the decisive goal in a 1–0 victory over Comoros in the final matchday of Group I, securing Ghana's place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as group winners.

Honours

Ajax

 Eredivisie: 2020–2021, 2021–2022

 KNVB Cup: 2020–2021

Individual

o Ghana Football Awards Footballer of the Year: 2023

o SWAG Sports Personality of the Year: 2022, 2023

o SWAG Foreign Footballer of the Year: 2021, 2022, 2023

o Eredivisie Talent of the Month: May 2021

o Eredivisie Team of the Month: September 2020, May 2021, September 2022, February 2023

o IFFHS Men's CAF Team of the Year: 2022

o IFFHS CAF Youth Team of the Year: 2020

o CAF Team of the Year: 2023, 2024

o West Ham United Goal of the Season: 2023–24

o UEFA Europa League Goal of the Season: 2023–24

Awards Won

Kudus has achieved numerous team trophies and individual accolades throughout his career with Ajax, West Ham United, and the Ghana national team.

1. Team Honors:

• Eredivisie Titles (2): 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons with Ajax.

• KNVB Cup (1): 2020–21 with Ajax.

• Hong Kong Festival Cup (Pre-season): 2025 with Tottenham Hotspur, defeating Arsenal.

2. Individual Awards:

 Ghana Footballer of the Year: Consecutively won in 2023 and 2024.

 SWAG Sports Personality of the Year: 2022, 2023.

 SWAG Foreign-based Footballer of the Year: 2021, 2022, 2023.

 CAF Team of the Year: Named in 2023 and 2024.

 Goal of the Season Awards;

- UEFA Europa League: 2023–24 for his solo goal against SC Freiburg.

- West Ham United: 2023–24.

- Ghana Football Awards: 2024.

 Tournament Recognitions:

- AFCON Man of the Match: Against Egypt during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

- IFFHS Men's CAF Team of the Year: 2022.

- Ajax Talent of the Year: 2020.

Mohammed Kudus: Honors and Achievements

Other Honors

- Forbes Africa 30 Under 30: Named in 2023.

List of Goals Won

1. "Solo Special" vs. SC Freiburg

- Match: West Ham United 5–0 SC Freiburg (UEFA Europa League Round of 16, March 14, 2024).

- Description: Kudus picked up the ball deep in his own half and embarked on a remarkable 70-yard solo run, dribbling past three defenders before finishing with his right foot.

Awards Won:

 UEFA Europa League Goal of the Season (Voted by fans).

 West Ham United Goal of the Season.

 Ghana Football Awards Goal of the Year (2024).

Most of Mohammed Kudus' significant Goal of the Season awards for the 2023–24 season were attributed to this extraordinary solo effort.

1. Honorable Mention: Bicycle Kick vs. Manchester City

 Match: Manchester City 3–1 West Ham United (Premier League, May 19, 2024).

 Description: A spectacular overhead bicycle kick following a corner, providing West Ham with a glimmer of hope on the final day of the season.

 Recognition: Although it did not make the Premier League's official top-10 list, it was a fan favorite and nominated alongside the Freiburg goal for the Ghana Football Awards Goal of the Year.

Individual Awards

1. Major Overall Performance Awards:

• Ghana Footballer of the Year: Winner for two consecutive years (2023, 2024), becoming only the second player, after Thomas Partey, to achieve this.

• CAF Team of the Year: Named in the Confederation of African Football's best XI for both 2023 and 2024.

• SWAG Sports Personality of the Year: Honored by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana for his impact across sports (2022, 2023).

• SWAG Foreign-based Footballer of the Year: Awarded for three consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023).

2. Recent Club and Monthly Honors

• Tottenham "Standout Trio": Recognised as one of Tottenham Hotspur's top three players for the first half of the 2025–26 season.

• Player of the Match (Multiple occasions);

a. Tottenham vs. Leeds United (Oct 2025): For his performance in a 2-1 Premier League victory.

b. West Ham vs. Lincoln City (Nov 2023): Voted Man of the Match during his debut season in the EFL Cup.

• Eredivisie Talent of the Month: May 2021, awarded during his time at Ajax.

3.Statistical Milestones

• Europe's Top Dribbler (2025/26): Currently the only player in Europe's top five leagues to complete 30 take-ons in the season.

• Premier League Assist Leader: As of late 2025, leading the Premier League in both assists and duels won (57).

Tenure in Football Career

Mohammed Kudus has been playing football competitively for 16 years, beginning his journey at age 7 with a local youth club. His professional career commenced 8 years ago when he moved to Europe.

Career Timeline

1. Youth Career (2007–2018):

 Odometah FC (2007–2011): Started at this local club in Ghana.

 Strong Tower FC (2010–2012): Played for his boyhood club in Nima.

 Right to Dream Academy (2012–2018): Joined at age 12, spending six years honing his skills.

2.Professional Career (2018–Present):

 FC Nordsjælland (2018–2020): Moved to Denmark and made his professional debut on August 5, 2018, just after his 18th birthday.

 Ajax (2020–2023): Transferred for €9 million, where he won two Eredivisie titles and a KNVB Cup.

 West Ham United (2023–2025): Joined the English Premier League for approximately £38 million, making 80 appearances and scoring 19 goals across all competitions.

 Tottenham Hotspur (2025–Present): Transferred in July 2025 for a fee of £55 million.

3.International Career

Mohammed Kudus has represented Ghana at various levels for nearly 9 years:

• Junior Levels: Played for Ghana U17 in 2017 and U20 from 2018 to 2019.

• Senior Team: Made his senior debut for the Black Stars on November 14, 2019, scoring in his first match against South Africa.

List of Teams Played For

As of March 2026, Mohammed Kudus has played for four senior professional clubs across Denmark, the Netherlands, and England:

1. Senior Professional Clubs:

 Tottenham Hotspur (England): Joined in July 2025 from West Ham United.

 West Ham United (England): Played from 2023 to 2025.

 Ajax (Netherlands): Contributed to the club from 2020 to 2023.

 FC Nordsjælland (Denmark): His first professional club in Europe from 2018 to 2020.

2. Development and Reserve Teams:

 Jong Ajax (Netherlands): Made appearances for the reserve team during the 2021–22 season while recovering from injury.

 Right to Dream Academy (Ghana): Primary youth academy from 2012 to 2018.

 Strong Tower FC (Ghana): Local youth team in Nima, where he played before joining the academy.

3. National Team:

 Ghana National Team (The Black Stars): A senior international since 2019, with experience at the U17 and U20 levels.

4. Charity Work

Mohammed Kudus is actively involved in community service through his KudusDream Foundation, focusing on football development and educational support in Nima and other under-resourced areas in Ghana.

a. The KudusDream Initiative:

• This project aims to inspire youth, reminding them that "greatness can start from anywhere."

• School Homecoming (June 2025): Visited Nima Cluster of Schools (Nima Basic 1) and donated:

• Educational materials, including books and stationery.

• Essential toiletries for students.

• Skechers football boots and kits encourage sports.

• Mentorship: Hosts "Moments with the Starboy" sessions during visits, sharing his journey and emphasising the importance of education for footballers to understand contracts and manage professional media.

5. Community Engagement and Philanthropy of Kudus

A. Football Development in Nima

 Bazaki Football Tournament: Kudus organises an annual 10-team community gala at Kawukudi Park in Nima, fostering local talent and community spirit.

 Mass Donations: As part of the tournament and his broader outreach initiatives, he has donated over 1,000 pairs of football boots to young players in the area.

 Support for Boyhood Clubs: He regularly supplies jerseys, balls, and training equipment to his first team, Strong Tower FC, as well as to other local academies.

B. Mentorship Initiatives

During community visits, Kudus hosts "Moment with the Starboy" sessions. Here, he shares his personal journey and emphasises the importance of education for footballers, ensuring they understand contracts and can navigate professional media.

C. Annual Ramadan Project

Kudus leads a philanthropic drive during the holy month of Ramadan, aimed at supporting vulnerable households.

 Food Distribution: He has provided essential food items, including rice, beans, and cooking oil, to over 500 people across the Greater Accra and Savannah regions.

 Wide Reach: The 2025 outreach extended to communities such as Mamobi, Pig Farm, and Abulukma, as well as the Arama Orphanage School in Accra.

Personal Life

Kudus hails from Nima in Accra, Ghana, and is a proud Muslim.

He has two brothers who reside in Accra, contributing to his close-knit family ties within the community.

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