Premier League champions Chelsea FC roped in 21-year-old Ghanaian international defender Baba Rahman from Bundesliga side Augsburg. Rahman had joined the German team last season and turned out to be priced possession. The full-back played 31 games in total in the entire season and was regarded as one of the best in the league.
The Blues shelled out close to £20million to lure the services of the Ghanaian. Baba Rahman is an extremely versatile player who can play in either of the full-back positions as well as a winger and a midfielder.
As Chelsea makes their second big signing of the season, we have decided to make a list of Five important facts about the Ghanaian youngster.
Baba Rahman began his career at Dreams FC
Baba Rahman began his football career at Dreams FC a third division club of Ghana, Division Two League. The youngster was so impressive in the Division Two that he caught the attention of Ghanian Premier League club Kumasi Asante Kotoko. Asante Kotoko signed Baba Rahman on a loan for the 2011/12 Ghana campaign.
Rahman arrived in Europe at the age of 17
Baba Rahman did a commendable job during his stint with the Ghanaian Premier League club Asante Kotoko, the defender was scouted by newly promoted Bundesliga side Greuther Fürth and he eventually signed with the club on 12 June 2012. He was still 17 when he moved to Europe.
Rahman had stated that he took the decision of joining Fürth was because he believed that it was the best conditions for him to develop his career.
He made more tackles than any other player in Bundesliga last season
Baba Rahman had scored in the Derby between Greuther Fürth and 1.FC Nuremberg in 2014. The next day he signed with another Bundesliga club FC Augsburg for 2.5 million Euros.
Rahman straight away broke into the first eleven of Augsburg putting up a series of impressive displays. He was even hailed as one of the best crossers in the German top flight. The 21-year-old full-back impressively made 109 tackles while in action for Augsburg in the Bundesliga last season as he completed 29 games out of 34. He played a total of 31 matches for Augsburg in the entire season.
Rahman was shortlisted for the best left-back of the season prize at the end of year Bundesliga awards.
Baba Rahman was beaten by Joshua Oniku for the Ghana Premier League’s discovery of the year award
After a stellar season with the Ghanaian Premier League club Kumasi Asante Kotoko in which he helped win the Ghana Premier League, Baba Rahman was widely regarded as the best player in the country and he was tipped to win the most promising player at the end of season awards.
Unfortunately, things did not go according to the script as Rahman was beaten by Joshua Oniku of Tema Youth for the big prize. Baba Rahman did not hide his disappointment at missing out but was, however, unfazed, vowing to work harder to go on and achieve even more in his career with a move to Germany already agreed then.
On The Radar Of Many European Giants
While Baba Rahman was playing in the Asante Kotoko F.C. team, many big European clubs made enquiries about the youngster and wanted to offer him a contract at their club. Premier League giants like Manchester City and Arsenal and Italian Serie A side Parma FC were among the prominent names. It was a huge achievement for a youngster who was not from any European country.