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Abdul Majeed Waris

Abdul Majeed Waris (born 19 September 1991)[2] is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Cypriot club Anorthosis.[3]

Club career

Born in Tamale, Waris started his career at the Ghanaian Right to Dream Academy when he was twelve.[4] He moved to England and joined Hartpury College, while simultaneously gaining a place at the Nike Academy, where he would go on to feature in the reserves side at Forest Green Rovers.[5][6]

BK Häcken

In October 2009, Waris signed a four-year contract with Swedish Allsvenskan side BK Häcken for an undisclosed fee.[7] He made his début in March 2010 as a substitute for Dominic Chatto, in a 4–2 home win against Trelleborgs FF.[8] In May 2012, he netted his first hat-trick, scoring five goals, in a 6–0 home win against IFK Norrköping.[9] As a result, he became the first player in Allsvenskan to score five goals in one match in the 21st century.[9] He also became the first Ghanaian to score five goals in single top-flight game in Europe as well as becoming the leading goalscorer in the 2012 Allsvenskan with 12 goals in nine games.[10] In conclusion of the Allsvenskan season, Waris was named the Swedish Premier League's player of the year, which GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi quoted: "His achievements have brought honour to our country."[11]

His performance at Häcken earned him a transfer speculation by being linked with Bundesliga clubs, such as Werder Bremen,[12] Hamburger SV,[12] Saint-Étienne,[12] Catania[12] and Arsenal.[13]

Spartak Moscow

Waris playing for Spartak Moscow in 2013.

In November 2012, Waris was transferred to Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee.[14] He made his RFPL debut on 10 March 2013, coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute in Spartak's 3–1 win over FC Terek Grozny. However, his first team chance at Spartak Moscow was limited, due to the dominance of strikers, such as Emmanuel Emenike, Yura Movsisyan, Artyom Dzyuba and Ariclenes da Silva Ferreira.

Waris scored his first PFPL goal on 8 December 2013, in a 1–0 away victory over FC Rostov, and was voted the Russian Premier League player of the week.[15] Following the start of the winter break, he stated he wanted to leave the club, citing earning a first team place in the World Cup.[16]

Valenciennes (loan)

In January 2014, Waris was loaned to Ligue 1 club Valenciennes, until 30 June 2014.[17] He scored on his debut for the club in a 3–2 win over Bastia on 14 January 2014[18] and was named Goal.com Ghana Player of the Week.[19] After scoring two goals in six appearances, he scored twice on 22 February 2014 in a 2–2 draw against Sochaux.[20] He scored five times in four consecutive games.

Initially aiming to score eleven goals, Waris went on to score nine goals in his loan spell at Valenciennes.[21] Despite the relegation, he expressed his desire to stay in France by making the move a permanent one.[22] He returned to Spartak Moscow, but said he hoped that the club would bounce back to Ligue 1.[23]

Trabzonspor

On 1 September 2014, Waris joined Turkish Süper Lig side Trabzonspor on a four-year contract for a transfer fee of €5.5 million.[24][25] He had previously been linked with a move to Lille, but Spartak Moscow rejected a bid from the club.[26]

He made his Trabzonspor debut on 14 September 2014, in a 0–0 draw against Fenerbahçe, where he played 90 minutes and as a left winger in attack.[27] Two months later, on 6 November 2014, he scored his first goal for the club, which came in the Europa League, in a 1–1 draw against Lokeren.[28]

Lorient

On 6 August 2015, Waris' transfer to French Ligue 1 side Lorient was announced. Media reported the transfer fee as €5 million and the duration of the contract as four years.[29] This move caused controversy as Waris initially travelled to Brittany to sign for Lorient's rivals Rennes but was driven to Lorient upon his arrival.

FC Porto (loan)

In January 2018 Waris was loaned to Portuguese Primeira Liga side FC Porto on a six-month loan deal which involves a €6 million option to make the move permanent.[30][31]

Strasbourg

On 16 January 2020, Waris returned to France, signing for Strasbourg on loan until the end of the season with obligation to buy in the summer for £2,000,000.[32][33] He signed for the team on a 2-year permanent contract in August 2020 ahead of the 2020–21 season.[34]

Anorthosis Famagusta

On 18 August 2022, Waris signed with Cypriot First Division club Anorthosis on a two-year contract until 2024.[35]

International career

Waris was called up to the Ghana squad against Chile in February 2012, replacing both the injured André and Jordan Ayew.[36] He came on as a substitute for Richard Mpong as Ghana earned a 1–1 away draw at the PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.[37][38] He scored the third goal in Ghana's 4–0 in World Cup Qualifying against Sudan on 24 March 2013 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. He also scored a goal against Egypt when Ghana defeated Egypt 6–1 in Kumasi in the first leg of the final World Cup qualifier.

On 12 May 2014, Waris was named in a provisional 26-man squad in the 2014 FIFA World Cup by Ghana manager James Kwesi Appiah.[39] On 2 June 2014, he made the cut to be included in Ghana's 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[40]

Personal life

Waris is a practicing Muslim. He was formerly married to Habiba Sinare.[41]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 1 September 2023[42]

Honours

Porto

Individual

References

  1. ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 June 2014. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  2. ^ Terneborn, Erik (22 April 2012). "Bönerna bakom styrkan på plan". Expressen (in Swedish). Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  3. ^ "Majeed Waris SvFF profile" (in Swedish). Svenkfotboll.se. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  4. ^ Vodafone Ghana (26 July 2011). "Vodafone's partnership with Right to Dream Football Academy produces world class footballers". Modernghana.com. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Ex-Hartpury College footballer Abdul Majeed Waris in frame for World Cup call-up". Gloucestershire Echo. 2 April 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  6. ^ "From Hartpury to Brazil: Waris' extraordinary journey". Gloucestershire Gazette. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  7. ^ Lundgren, Henrik (15 October 2009). "Häcken värvar afrikansk talang". Aftonbladet. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  8. ^ "Häcken i topp inför usel publiksiffra". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Tidningarnas Telegrambyrå. 30 March 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  9. ^ a b Lindström, Håkan (16 May 2012). "Waris bjöd på målfyrverkeri". Sveriges Television (in Swedish). Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  10. ^ "Graduates Waris and Boateng Reach for the Stars!". Right to Dream Academy. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  11. ^ "Abdul Waris's player of the year award 'honours' Ghana". BBC Sport. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  12. ^ a b c d "Hamburg, Werder Bremen bid for Ghana striker Waris". Ghana Soccernet. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  13. ^ "Hacken coach prefers Arsenal move for in-form Ghana striker Waris". Ghana Soccernet. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  14. ^ ""СПАРТАК" И "ХЭКЕН" ДОСТИГЛИ СОГЛАШЕНИЯ О ПЕРЕХОДЕ УОРИСА". spartak.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  15. ^ "Majeed Waris voted Russian Premier League player of the week". Spy Ghana. 10 December 2013. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  16. ^ "Ghana striker Abdul-Majeed Waris set to leave Russia league ahead of 2014 World Cup". Ghana Soccernet. 21 December 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  17. ^ "Officiel : Abdul Majeed Waris prêté au VAFC !" (in French). Valenciennes. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  18. ^ "Valenciennes 3-2 Bastia". ESPN Soccernet. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  19. ^ "Ghana Player of the Week: Abdul Majeed Waris - Valenciennes". Goal.com. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  20. ^ "These four will count" [Football Ligue 1 26e journée Valenciennes-Sochaux, 20 heures Ces quatre-là vont compter] (in French). L'Equipe. 22 February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  21. ^ "Waris sets 11-goal target in Ligue 1". Goal.com. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  22. ^ "Waris: I want to stay in France". Goal.com. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  23. ^ "Waris backs relegated Valenciennes to make quick Ligue 1 return". Goal.com. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  24. ^ "Ghanaian Waris and Malian Yatabare join Trabzonspor". BBC Sport. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  25. ^ "Ghana's Waris joins Trabzonspor". Goal.com. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  26. ^ "Transfert Ni Waris, ni Yatabaré à Lille" (in French). L'Equipe. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  27. ^ "Trabzonspor 0-0 Fenerbahçe" (in Turkish). Hurriyet Website. 14 September 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  28. ^ "KSC Lokeren 1-1 Trabzonspor". ESPN. 6 November 2014. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  29. ^ "Majeed Waris (Trabzonspor) signe à Lorient (officiel)". L'Equipe. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  30. ^ Kobo, Kingsley (19 January 2018). "Majeed Waris joins FC Porto on loan". Goal. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  31. ^ "Majeed Waris gets loan move to FC Porto". myjoyonline.com. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  32. ^ "OFFICIAL - Strasbourg sign Majeed WARIS from Porto". GhanaSoccernet. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  33. ^ Quao, Nathan (16 January 2020). "#Donkomi: Abdul Majeed Waris signs for RC Strasbourg". Citi Sports Online. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  34. ^ "Strasbourg sign Majeed Waris on two-year contract". www.ghanaweb.com. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  35. ^ "Έναρξη συνεργασίας με Majeed Waris" (in Greek). Anorthosis. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  36. ^ Mensah, Kent (29 February 2012). "Ghana FA confirms Ayew brothers are out of Chile friendly". Goal.com. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  37. ^ Gabriel, Kerith (1 March 2012). "Exciting night for Ghana, Chile at PPL Park". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  38. ^ MTNfootball (1 March 2012). "Ghana share spoils with Chile in friendly". Mtnfootball.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  39. ^ "World Cup 2014: Jeffery Schlupp selected in 26-man squad". BBC Sport. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  40. ^ "Ghana World Cup 2014 squad". The Telegraph. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  41. ^ "Prayers behind the strength of the plan" [Bönerna bakom styrkan på plan] (in Swedish). expressen.se. 22 April 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  42. ^ "A. Waris". soccerway.com. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  43. ^ talkSPORT (7 May 2018). "Porto break Benfica dominance in Portugal to win first league title since 2013 and have a massive party". talkSPORT. Retrieved 25 May 2018.

External links