Mathew Anim Cudjoe

Mathew Anim Cudjoe (born 11 November 2003) is a Ghanaian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Scottish Championship side Dundee United and the Ghana National under-20 team.

Mathew Anim Cudjoe
Personal information
Date of birth (2003-11-11) 11 November 2003
Place of birth Prestea, Ghana
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Dundee United
Number 28
Youth career
Great Somas
2018–2019 Young Apostles
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2021 Young Apostles 0 (0)
2019–2020 → Asante Kotoko (loan) 6 (1)
2020–2021 → Legon Cities (loan) 12 (3)
2021– Dundee United 12 (3)
International career
2019– Ghana U20 6 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:44, 21 September 2022 (UTC)

Cudjoe began his career with Ghana Division Two team Young Apostles.[1] He went on to play for Ghana Premier League sides Asante Kotoko and Legon Cities.[2][3]

Club career

Youth career

Cudjoe started his career with Great Somas in Accra till he transferred to Sunyani based a Division Two club Young Apostles, managed by Ghanaian football administrator Samuel Anim Addo.[4][5] Samuel Anim Addo is also Cudjoe's manager and football agent, he happens to be the Manager of Ghanaian Striker Asamoah Gyan as well.[2][6] Cudjoe was scouted and later signed up by Addo after he had competed in the maiden edition of the BabyJet U-16 tournament at the Asamoah Gyan Sports Complex in Accra Academy. He scored 6 goals at the end of the tournament, scoring a hattrick in one of the matches, to help his team win the tournament.[7] He also ended the tournament as the top goalscorer and was crowned the overall best player.[8][9][4] Cudjoe made his first team debut for Dundee United in a 1/1 draw with Hibernian on April 2, 2022 when he came on as a sub and immediately made an impression [10]

Asante Kotoko (loan)

Cudjoe signed by Asante Kotoko in December 2019 on a season-long deal.[11][5] On 22 December 2019, he won his first trophy with the club, after Asante Kotoko defeated their rivals Hearts of Oak by 2–1 victory in the President's Cup.[12][13] He made his professional league debut in the Ghana Premier League on 1 January 2020 at the age of 16 years in a match against Legon Cities FC, coming on as a substitute in the 84th minute replacing Emmanuel Gyamfi.[14] In a match against rivals Hearts of Oak on 24 January 2020, Cudjoe was brought on as a substitute with the match in a 1–1 draw stance, when he was brought on, he was fouled in the penalty box which drew a penalty that was scored by Naby Keita in the 90th minute to help the team win 2-1 as the end of the match.[15][16][17] He scored his debut Ghana Premier League goal in a home match against Ebusua Dwarfs, helping Asante Kotoko to secure a 2–0 victory.[18][19] He played 6 matches and scored 1 goal as the 2019–2020 season came to an abrupt end due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20][21][15] After his loan deal ended Asante Kotoko tried to sign him on a long-term deal but the deal fell through and no agreement was made.[22][23][24] He became a fan favourite during his time at the club.[25][26]

Legon Cities (loan)

Cudjoe was signed on season long loan deal by Accra-based team, Legon Cities FC.[1][3] He was signed as part of the signing deal of Asamoah Gyan.[27][28] He was not unveiled as part of the teams new players unveiling session but was later unveiled on his 17th Birthday on 11 November 2020 via the club's social media handles.[29][30]

Dundee United

On 17 November 2021, Scottish Premiership team Dundee United announced the signing of Cudjoe subject to international clearance, upon approval of his Visa application.[31] Cudjoe made his first team debut for Dundee United in a 1-1 draw with Hibernian on 2 April 2022 when he came on as a substitute. Cudjoe made his first start on 9 May in a league game against Rangers.[32] He scored his first his first competitive goal for Dundee United in a 4-0 victory in Arbroath on the 4th of August 2023.

International career

Cudjoe was a member of the Ghana national under-20 football team at the 2019 African Games.[33][34] He started in the final match of the group stage against Mali as Ghana lost by 4-2 and were eliminated from the competition.[35][36] He was also a member of the Black Satellites at the WAFU B U-20 Championship in 2020. He played in all matches at the tournament helping the team to finish as champions of West Africa Zone B and qualify for the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.[37][38][39]

Career statistics

Club
As of 31 January 2021
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Asante Kotoko 2019–20 Ghana Premier League 6100––61
Legon Cities 2020–21 Ghana Premier League 3100––31
Career total 9200000092

    Honours

    Asante Kotoko

    Ghana U20

      References
      1. "Legon Cities gazump giants Kotoko for Matthew Cudjoe". www.ghanaweb.com. 2020-10-25. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      2. "Mathew Cudjoe will welcome Black Stars call-up – Anim Addo". Ghana Web. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
      3. "Matthew Anim Cudjoe bids farewell to Asante Kotoko". www.ghanaweb.com. 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      4. "Talent Tavern: Great Somax wonder kid Mathew Kudjo emerges tsar at Baby Jet U16 tourney". GhanaSoccernet. 2018-09-04. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      5. "Asante Kotoko unveils 16-year-old wonderkid Mathew Anim Cudjoe". Citi Sports Online. 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      6. "Asamoah Gyan's business manager Anim Addo responds to reported $500,000 Asante Kotoko demand | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      7. "Semi-finals for Baby Jet U16 tourney confirmed - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      8. "The best photos of the maiden BabyJet U-16 tournament - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      9. "BabyJet U-16 tournament Dream Team to begin camping today - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      10. "Ghana U20 sensation Matthew Anim-Cudjoe finally makes Dundee United debut in Scottish Premiership - Kickgh.com". www.kickgh.com.
      11. "Asante Kotoko signs Matthew Anim Cudjoe for the season". www.ghanaweb.com. 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      12. "2019 President Cup: Asante Kotoko coach picks unpredictable starting XI to face Hearts of Oak- 'Messi' Matthew Cudjoe named on bench". GhanaSoccernet. 2019-12-22. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
      13. Teye, Prince Narkortu (22 December 2019). "Asante Kotoko down Hearts of Oak to win Ghana President's Cup". Goal. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
      14. "Kotoko starlet Matthew Cudjoe marks Ghana Premier League debut". GhanaSoccernet. 2020-01-03. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      15. "Mathew Cudjoe grateful to Asante Kotoko as he moves to Legon Cities". GhanaSoccernet. 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      16. "Asante Kotoko sting Hearts of Oak in Ghana Premier League derby". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      17. "GHPL: Keita's 90th-minute penalty leads Kotoko over Hearts 2-1 - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      18. "Matthew Cudjoe Delighted With First Goal For Kotoko". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      19. "Teenager Matthew Cudjoe scores as Kotoko return to winning ways". www.ghanaweb.com. 2020-01-19. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      20. "Matthew Cudjoe awaits new deal from Kotoko". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      21. "Mathew Cudjoe, 16, insists he felt no pressure at Asante Kotoko". GhanaSoccernet. 2020-07-20. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      22. "Kotoko Shut The Door On Asamoah Gyan And Matthew Anim Cudjoe". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      23. "Mathew Cudjoe's manager demanded $250,000 – Kotoko CEO - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      24. "Kotoko must intensify effort to sign Mathew Cudjoe – Anim Addo". Footballghana. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      25. "'Thank You' - Matthew Cudjoe Sends Gratitude Message To Asante Kotoko After Legon Cities Move". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      26. "Kotoko prodigy Matthew Cudjoe showered with cash after amazing show in Hearts game". GhanaSoccernet. 2020-01-27. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      27. "Asamoah Gyan joins Legon Cities, agent confirms to Joy Sports deal worth more than $1 million - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      28. "Legon Cities sign wonder kid Matthew Cudjoe". Citi Sports Online. 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      29. "VIDEO: Legon Cities FC Unveil Teen Sensation Mathew Anim Cudjoe". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      30. "VIDEO: Legon Cities unveil sensational teen Mathew Cudjoe". GhanaSoccernet. 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
      31. "Breaking News: Ghanaian teen Mathew Anim Cudjoe joins Scottish premiership club Dundee United". GhanaSoccernet. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
      32. "Rangers beat Dundee United to keep Celtic's title celebrations on hold".
      33. "I want to make my Black Stars debut before I turn 17 years - Mathew Anim Cudjoe". www.ghanaweb.com. 2020-07-16. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
      34. "BREAKING NEWS: Ghana U-20 coach Yaw Preko names final 18-man squad for Africa Games". GhanaSoccernet. 2019-08-12. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
      35. GNA. "African Games 2019: Ghana bow out after Mali defeat". Graphic SPORTS. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
      36. "African Games: Ghana 2-4 Mali: Black Satellites crash out | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
      37. Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Ghana stage remarkable fightback to win WAFU B U-20 Championship". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
      38. "Black Satellites winger Mathew Cudjoe delighted to help Ghana qualify for AYC". GhanaSoccernet. 2020-12-21. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
      39. "Ghana beat Burkina Faso 2-1 to win WAFU Zone B U-20 tournament". GhanaSoccernet. 2020-12-19. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
      40. "Live Updates: Ghana wins fourth U-20 AFCON title after beating Uganda". GhanaSoccernet. 2021-03-06. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
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