Antonio-backed Ghana academy players get UK trials with top clubs
A Ghanaian academy supported by former West Ham forward Michail Antonio sent teenage players to England for two and a half months to showcase their skills. Several clubs, including Bournemouth, Everton, and Manchester City, have taken players on trial, and one midfielder already signed with Middlesbrough. The academy aims to provide elite coaching and create pathways for Ghanaian talent into European professional football.
The academy operates from Kumasi while constructing a new facility in Bompata, roughly 100 miles north of Accra. The 20-player traveling group faced an initial hurdle when all but one had visa applications denied before re-evaluation allowed entry. During their stay, they were hosted by Brook House College in Market Harborough and trained at Harborough Town's grounds.
Rob Newman, formerly of West Ham and Manchester City's scouting network, spent time with the academy in Ghana and assisted coaching in Harborough. Midfielder Listowell Lord Hinneh, who signed with Middlesbrough in February, met the squad during their trip to share advice about adapting to English football and the cold climate he encountered upon arrival in January.
This initiative could reshape talent pathways between West Africa and European football, offering young Ghanaians direct exposure to scouts rather than relying on sporadic regional visits. Success stories like Hinneh's Middlesbrough move may inspire similar academy models across the continent, potentially increasing competition for youth spots at English clubs. However, the visa difficulties highlight systemic barriers that could limit how many players ultimately benefit, meaning the broader impact may depend on whether such partnerships become sustainable and repeatable.