James Abankwah

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James Abankwah
Personal information
Full name James Bright Adusei Abankwah
Date of birth (2004-01-16) 16 January 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth Waterford, Republic of Ireland
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88m)
Position(s) Centre back
Right back
Team information
Current team
 Udinese
Number 14
Youth career
2011 Letterkenny Rovers
2011–2016 Melview
2016–2019 Cherry Orchard
2019–2022 St Patrick's Athletic
2022–2023 Udinese
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2022 St Patrick's Athletic 9 (0)
2022– Udinese 2 (0)
2022 → St Patrick's Athletic (loan) 11 (0)
2023–2024 → Charlton Athletic (loan) 2 (0)
International career‡
2019 Republic of Ireland U16 4 (0)
2021 Republic of Ireland U18 1 (0)
2021–2023 Republic of Ireland U19 13 (1)
2023– Republic of Ireland U21 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:11, 30 January 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:30, 12 September 2023 (UTC)

James Bright Adusei Abankwah (born 16 January 2004) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Serie A club Udinese. Abankwah is a product of St Patrick's Athletic's youth sector.

Club career[edit]

Early career[edit]

Abankwah was born in Waterford,[1] where he lived with his family before moving to Celbridge, then to Lucan before moving to Letterkenny where he began playing football with local side Letterkenny Rovers in 2011.[2][3] He later moved to Longford with his family, where he played for local club Melview FC, where he also represented Longford at the prestigious Kennedy Cup youth tournament at Under-14 level in 2016, before the family moved again, returning to Lucan in Ireland's capital, Dublin.[4] While still living in Longford, Abankwah signed for top Dublin schoolboy club Cherry Orchard, travelling to Dublin training by lifts from his parents and occasionally by bus, aged 12.[5] It was there where his performances attracted the interest of scouts from local League of Ireland club St Patrick's Athletic who signed Abankwah for their Under-15 team in January 2019, aged 14.[6] On 24 October 2019, Abankwah was part of the side that won the Under-15 League of Ireland title, as they defeated rivals Shamrock Rovers 2–1 at Tallaght Stadium to claim the trophy.[7] A month later they defeated the same opposition in the Under-15 Cup final on penalties at Richmond Park to win the double.[8] In 2020, he was promoted straight to the Under-19 team, three years above his age group, where on 22 December 2020, he was part of the team that won the League of Ireland U19 Division Final, beating rivals Bohemians 2–1 after extra time at the UCD Bowl to secure a UEFA Youth League spot for the club.[9]

St Patrick's Athletic[edit]

2021 season[edit]

On 7 July 2021, Abankwah signed his first professional contract at League of Ireland Premier Division side St Patrick's Athletic, having impressed for the club's academy teams.[10] He made his senior debut just two days later aged just 17 when he came off the bench for Alfie Lewis in the 62nd minute of a 1–0 win over Derry City.[11] His first start for the club was on 3 September 2021, a 3–2 win over Longford Town.[12] On 28 November 2021, he became the youngest ever player to appear in an FAI Cup Final at 17 years old[13] when he replaced Paddy Barrett in the 80th minute of the 2021 FAI Cup Final, as his side defeated rivals Bohemians 4–3 on penalties following a 1–1 draw after extra time in front of a record FAI Cup Final crowd of 37,126 at the Aviva Stadium.[14][15] He made a total of 13 appearances in all competitions during the 2021 season, his first in senior football.[16]

2022 season[edit]

On 25 January 2022, it was announced that the club had sold Abankwah to Italian Serie A side Udinese for an undisclosed fee believed to a record fee paid for a League of Ireland player,[17][18] believed to be in the region of €800,000 plus add ons.[19][20] As part of the transfer, he was loaned back to St Patrick's Athletic until 30 June 2022, in order to allow him complete his Leaving Certificate exams at his school, Adamstown Community College, alongside playing for the club.[21][19] Before the season started, manager Tim Clancy stated that there were no ‘no limitations’ set out by Udinese on Abankwah's playing time, while he also mentioned ‘It’ll be a pleasure to work with him’ during his loan.[22]

On 11 February 2022, Abankwah was in the starting XI in the 2022 President of Ireland's Cup against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium, eventually being replaced by Tom Grivosti in the 76th minute due to an injury, as his side lost 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.[23] On 18 February 2022, in the opening league game of the season away to Dublin rivals Shelbourne, Abankwah played his first full 90 minutes of his senior career with his performance in the 3–0 win at Tolka Park drawing comparisons in his playing style to that of former St Patrick's Athletic and Manchester United defender Paul McGrath.[24]

Udinese[edit]

On 25 January 2022, it was announced that Abankwah had signed for Serie A club Udinese on a four-and-a-half year contract.[25] Ahead of joining up with the team in the summer of 2022, Abankwah revealed that he was taking Italian language lessons twice a week.[26] Abankwah made his unofficial debut for the club on 13 July 2022, playing the second half of an 11–0 friendly win over Rapid Lienz.[27] On 20 July 2022, it was announced that Abankwah's squad number would be the number 14.[28] Abankwah made his debut for the club on 2 April 2023, replacing Sandi Lovrić from the bench in a defeat away to Bologna.[29] He then made his first Serie A start on 4 June, in a 0–1 loss against Juventus, with manager Andrea Sottil stating after the match that Abankwah was one of the players that are "the future of Udinese".[30]

Charlton Athletic (loan)[edit]

On 1 September 2023, Abankwah joined League One club Charlton Athletic on a season-long loan.[31] Shortly after moving, Abankwah stated "Udinese were good enough to let me go, to play more games. I felt like England was the best place to go. I feel great about the move. It’s a great opportunity for me. I’m ready to step into Charlton and give it my best shot."[32] He made his debut on 16 September in a 1–1 draw away to Stevenage at Broadhall Way, playing at right back.[33] On 22 December 2023, it was reported that Abankwah's loan had been terminated having only made three first team appearances in all competitions since arriving.[34] Udinese officially confirmed Abankwah's return to the club on 29 January 2024.[35][36]

International career[edit]

Under 15 & 16[edit]

As well as the Republic of Ireland, his country of birth, Abankwah is also eligible to represent Ghana at international level due to his parents being from there.[37] Abankwah received his first callup to the Republic of Ireland U15 squad in January 2019, but did not feature in any of the 3 friendly games during the trip to Spain.[38] His first international appearances came for the Republic of Ireland U16 team against Denmark U16[39] and England U16 in August 2019.[40] In October 2019, he was included in the Republic of Ireland U16 squad for the following month's Victory Shield tournament played in Wales.[41] He featured against Scotland U16 and Northern Ireland U16 at the tournament.[42][43][44]

Under 18 & 19[edit]

He was named as captain of the Under-18 side by manager Colin O'Brien in November 2021 for a 0–0 draw with Malta U18 in a friendly.[45] He made his first Republic of Ireland U19 appearances on 8 & 11 October 2021, playing in both a 2–2 and a 1–1 draw with Sweden U19 in two friendlies.[46][47] He started all three of the team's 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification matches on their November 2021 trip to Bulgaria, featuring against Montenegro U19, Bosnia and Herzegovina U19 and Bulgaria U19, helping his team to qualify for the Elite Phase.[48][49][50] Abankwah's first goal at international level came on 23 March 2022, scoring an equaliser in an eventual 3–1 defeat away to England U19 at Bescot Stadium in Walsall.[51]

Under 21[edit]

Abankwah was called up to the Republic of Ireland U21s for the first time on 6 June 2023 for the team's friendly fixtures against Gabon U23, Ukraine U21 & Kuwait U22 in Austria on 13, 16 & 19 June 2023.[52] Abankwah made his Republic of Ireland U21 debut on 16 June 2023, in a 2–2 draw with Ukraine U21.[53]

Career statistics[edit]

As of match played 5 November 2023[16]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
St Patrick's Athletic 2021 League of Ireland Premier Division 9 0 4 0 – – 13 0
St Patrick's Athletic (loan) 2022 League of Ireland Premier Division 11 0 – – 1[c] 0 12 0
St Patrick's Athletic total 20 0 4 0 0 0 1 0 25 0
Udinese 2021–22 Serie A 0 0 – – – 0 0
2022–23 Serie A 2 0 0 0 – – 2 0
2023–24 Serie A 0 0 0 0 – – 0 0
Udinese total 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Charlton Athletic (loan) 2023–24 League One 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Career total 24 0 5 0 0 0 1 0 30 0
  1. ^ Includes FAI Cup, Coppa Italia & FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ Appearance in the President of Ireland's Cup

Honours[edit]

St Patrick's Athletic

References[edit]

  1. ^ O'Hehir, Paul (25 May 2022). "James Abankwah on why a life on the road is good prep for his Italian job". Irish Mirror.
  2. ^ "James Abankwah where it all began - Letterkenny Rovers FC". www.letterkennyroversfc.ie.
  3. ^ Bonnar, Dáire. "Ex-Letterkenny Rovers player moves to Italian giants for record fee – Donegal Daily". www.donegaldaily.com.
  4. ^ Reporter, Leader. "Former Melview FC Longford rising star James Abankwah set to sign for Italian club Udinese". www.longfordleader.ie.
  5. ^ "Pastor Abankwah guides 'Saint' James on right road to Udinese way". independent.
  6. ^ Byrne, Ruairi Scott (25 January 2022). "Irish U19 star James Abankwah to join Udinese for League of Ireland record fee". Buzz.ie.
  7. ^ "U15s Clinch League Final". www.stpatsfc.com.
  8. ^ "U15s Win Cup On Penalties". www.stpatsfc.com.
  9. ^ Fallon, John (22 December 2020). "Darragh Burns hits the winner as Saints claim U19 League of Ireland crown". Irish Examiner.
  10. ^ "Murphy & Abankwah Sign First Pro Contracts". www.stpatsfc.com.
  11. ^ "Derry narrowly lose out 1-0 to St Pat's". 9 July 2021.
  12. ^ "Billy King wonder strike helps Saints keep up pressure on Hoops". independent.
  13. ^ "Record For Abankwah!". 1 December 2021 – via St Patrick's Athletic FC Facebook.
  14. ^ Leahy, Ed (28 November 2021). "Benson spot on as Saints beat Bohs to lift the FAI Cup" – via www.rte.ie.
  15. ^ "James Abankwah: 'I'm buzzing and absolutely delighted that the deal is done'". ExtraTime.com.
  16. ^ a b "Republic of Ireland - J. Abankwah - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com.
  17. ^ Fallon, John (25 January 2022). "Udinese set to sign James Abankwah for League of Ireland record fee". Irish Examiner.
  18. ^ McCormack, Richie. "Pat's teenager Abankwah set for record-breaking Udinese move". OTB Sports.
  19. ^ a b Fallon, John (26 January 2022). "James Abankwah completes move to Udinese - but will stay in Ireland until after exams". Irish Examiner.
  20. ^ "Ireland U19 James Abankwah signs for Udinese". BreakingNews.ie.
  21. ^ "From Longford to the brink of Serie A: The rise of St Pat's teenager James Abankwah". independent.
  22. ^ "'It'll be a pleasure to work with him' – St Pat's boss Tim Clancy excited by James Abankwah potential". independent.
  23. ^ Fennessy, Paul. "Memorable return for Jack Byrne as Shamrock Rovers beat Pat's on penalties". The42.
  24. ^ Ward, Johnny (18 February 2022). "Saints sweep past Shels to open season in style" – via www.rte.ie.
  25. ^ "Abankwah signs for Udinese < Squad < News < Udinese". www.udinese.it.
  26. ^ "Ireland's James Abankwah ready to test himself in Italian top flight". 25 May 2022.
  27. ^ "Rapid Lienz-Udinese 0-11 < Squadra < News < Udinese". www.udinese.it.
  28. ^ "I numeri di maglia dei bianconeri < Squadra < News < Udinese". www.udinese.it.
  29. ^ Fennessy, Paul (2 April 2023). "Irish teenager makes Serie A debut". The42.
  30. ^ Fallon, John (5 June 2023). "'They're the future of Udinese' — Irish teen Abankwah hailed after first start against Juventus". Irish Examiner.
  31. ^ "DONE DEAL : JAMES ABANKWAH CHECKS IN AT CHARLTON". Charlton Athletic Official Site. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  32. ^ "'Udinese were good enough to let me go, to play more games' – Ireland U-21 defender James Abankwah on Charlton loan". Independent.ie. 5 September 2023.
  33. ^ "Stevenage 1-1 Charlton Athletic" – via www.bbc.com.
  34. ^ "Andy Scott: Charlton Athletic owners ready to invest in January transfer window to boost play-off prospects" – via South London Press.
  35. ^ "Abankwah torna dal Charlton". Udinese Calcio. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  36. ^ "JAMES ABANKWAH RETURNS TO UDINESE". Charlton Athletic Official Site. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  37. ^ "Report: St Pat's teenager James Abankwah set for Serie A move". Pundit Arena. 25 January 2022.
  38. ^ "Ireland U15: Donohue selects squad for Spanish tournament | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  39. ^ "Republic of Ireland 2 - 4 Denmark | 2019 - U16 Mens Friendlies | 999945879 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  40. ^ "England U16 vs. Republic of Ireland U16 - 22 August 2019 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com.
  41. ^ "Ireland U16: Osam names squad for Victory Shield | 999945994 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  42. ^ "Republic of Ireland 0 - 4 Scotland | 2019 - U16 Mens Friendlies | 999945994 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  43. ^ "Republic of Ireland 1 - 1 Northern Ireland | 2019 - U16 Mens Friendlies | 999945996 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  44. ^ Reporter, Longford Leader. "Former Melview FC player James Abankwah lines out with Republic of Ireland U16 side". www.longfordleader.ie.
  45. ^ "REPORT | Malta MU18 0-0 Ireland MU18 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  46. ^ "REPORT | MU19 2-2 Sweden | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  47. ^ "REPORT | Ireland MU19 1-1 Sweden MU19 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  48. ^ "Republic of Ireland 3 - 2 Montenegro | 2022 - UEFA Under-19 Championship | 2031126 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  49. ^ "Republic of Ireland 1 - 1 Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2022 - UEFA Under-19 Championship | 2031152 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  50. ^ "Bulgaria 0 - 2 Republic of Ireland | 2022 - UEFA Under-19 Championship | 2031178 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  51. ^ "Abankwah on mark but clinical England sink Ireland". 23 March 2022 – via www.rte.ie.
  52. ^ "Crawford Names 26-Man Squad for Friendlies in Austria". FAI. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  53. ^ "REPORT | U21 | Ireland 2-2 Ukraine | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
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