Kwadwo Poku (footballer, born 1992)

Kwadwo Poku (born 19 February 1992) is a Ghanaian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

This article is about the Ghanaian footballer born in 1992. For the Ghanaian footballer born in 1985, see Kwadwo Poku (footballer, born 1985). For the Ghanaian footballer born in 1993, see Kwadwo Poku (footballer, born 1993).
Kwadwo Poku
Personal information
Date of birth (1992-02-19) 19 February 1992
Place of birth Kumasi, Ghana
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
Asante Kotoko SC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Georgia Revolution
2014 Atlanta Silverbacks 25 (2)
2015–2016 New York City 34 (5)
2015 → Wilmington Hammerheads (loan) 1 (0)
2016–2017 Miami FC 50 (13)
2018 Anzhi Makhachkala 3 (0)
2018–2019 Tampa Bay Rowdies 40 (4)
2020 Europa 4 (0)
International career
2015–2018 Ghana 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Youth

Poku played in the youth system of his hometown club, Asante Kotoko SC, in Kumasi, Ghana.[1]

Georgia Revolution

In late 2010, Poku moved to the US and joined 4th division side Georgia Revolution ahead of their 2011 season.[1] Playing as a striker in the 2012 and 2013 NPSL seasons Poku was his team's top scorer and in the 2013 season he also contributed a team-high seven assists. In May 2013, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–3 win over Real Colorado Foxes in the first round of the US Open Cup.[2]

Atlanta Silverbacks

Poku moved to the Atlanta Silverbacks of the NASL on January 24, 2014.[3] During his time at the club he made 25 appearances, scoring twice, including a winning goal in the 91st minute against MLS side Real Salt Lake in the fourth round of the US Open Cup. Silverbacks manager and technical director Eric Wynalda described Poku as one of the best players in NASL, adding that he "might be too good for the MLS too".[4]

New York City FC

In January 2015, Poku was signed by MLS expansion side New York City FC after they acquired Poku's MLS rights from Seattle Sounders FC in exchange for a 2017 MLS SuperDraft pick.[5] Poku quickly became a fan favourite at New York City for his eye catching performances, he was named to the MLS 24 under 24 at the end of the 2015 season.[6]

Miami FC

After failing to earn consistent playing time under new coach Patrick Vieira, he was sold to Miami FC of the NASL in late June 2016, for a reported fee of $700,000.[7][8]

Anzhi Makhachkala

On 17 January 2018, Poku signed for Russian club FC Anzhi Makhachkala until 31 May 2020.[9]

Tampa Bay Rowdies

On 26 June 2018, Poku returned to the United States and signed with USL team Tampa Bay Rowdies.[10] He scored his first goal for the team on 25 August 2018 in a 1–2 against FC Cincinnati.[11]

Europa

On 27 June 2020, Poku signed for Europa FC of Gibraltar.[12]

International career

During August 2015, Poku showed interest in playing international football for both Ghana and the United States national teams.[13][14] United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann reportedly approached Poku and asked him to switch nationality following his impressive performance in MLS for New York City FC; however, Poku did not have US citizenship.[15]

On 10 October 2015, Poku received his first call up from Ghana for a friendly against Canada. Poku played 8 minutes after being subbed on in a 1–1 draw.[15]

Poku holds a U.S. green card which also qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS and NASL roster purposes.[16]

Honours

Individual

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 14 October 2018[17]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Atlanta Silverbacks 2014 NASL 25231––283
Wilmington Hammerheads 2015 USL 1000––10
New York City 2015 MLS 27412––286
2016 7110––81
Total 34522----367
Miami 2016 NASL 20600––206
2017 30752––359
Total 501352----5515
Anzhi Makhachkala 2017–18 Russian Premier League 3000–1141
Tampa Bay Rowdies 2018 USL 16100––161
Career total 12921105001114027

References
  1. Kristan Heneage (13 February 2015). "MLS may have its own Yaya Touré in New York FC's Kwadwo Poku | Football". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  2. "Revs Defeat Colorado Foxes in 1st Round of Open Cup - Georgia Revolution". Garevolution.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  3. "Kwadwo Poku Signs With the Atlanta Silverbacks - Georgia Revolution". Garevolution.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  4. "Eric Wynalda: Klinsmann Will Probably Be Fired If US Doesn't Win a World Cup Game". World Soccer Talk. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  5. "New York City FC Acquire Midfielder Kwadwo Poku From Atlanta". New York City FC. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  6. "Kwadwo Poku has emerged as a star among NYCFCs stars". Espn Fc. 2015-08-22. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  7. "Poku and the Age of Panic in the NASL". FiftyFive.one. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  8. Christian Araos (2016-06-26). "Sources: Kwadwo Poku sold to Miami FC". Empire of Soccer. Archived from the original on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
  9. В «Анжи» перешёл Квадво Поку (in Russian). FC Anzhi Makhachkala. 17 January 2018.
  10. "Rowdies Sign Dynamic Midfielder Kwadwo Poku". rowdiessoccer.com. Tampa Bay Rowdies. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  11. "Tampa Bay vs. Cincinnati 1 - 2". soccerway.com. Perform Group. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  12. "Former NYCFC cult hero Kwadwo Poku lands with a Champions League team in one of UEFA's newest leagues". MLS. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  13. "New York City FC midfielder Poku ready for Ghana call up". Goal. 20 August 2015.
  14. "Kwadwo Poku says he wants to play for the USMNT". starsandstripesfc.com. 28 August 2015.
  15. "New York City's Kwadwo Poku latest to receive Black Stars call-up for Ghana friendly". Ghanasportsonline.com. 2015-10-10. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  16. Jeff Carlisle (22 August 2015). "Kwadwo Poku has emerged as a star among NYCFC's stars". ESPNFC.com. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  17. "K.Poku". soccerway.com. Soccerway. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
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