Posted by 2009 U-20 World Cup winner Ransford Osei has revealed why his separate moves to Real Madrid and Manchester City from then Kessben FC didn’t materialize.
Ransford Osei rose to the prominence in 2007 when he won the Golden boot at the African Under-17 Championship and Silver boot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Osei’s performances grabbed the attention of a number of big European clubs. He was as well recognized by World Soccer Magazine as one of the 50 Most Exciting Teenagers on the Planet.
“After the World Cup, I was wanted by all the big clubs. I remember an offer from Real Madrid came. Myself and Daniel Opare, but then Kessben said the offer from Real Madrid was not enough because another club was offering them one million dollars, but Opare went,” he told Kings Jersey TV.
Narrating his failed Manchester City move, Osei said: “I had an opportunity to move to Manchester City, where I stayed for three months, where they arranged for my work permit, but there was this rule that you must have played 75 percent with the Black Stars, so it was difficult for me to secure one, and I had to leave for Israel,” he added.
Ransford Osei after his failed move to Real Madrid and Manchester City was set to join Polish club Legia Warszawa on a six-month loan with an option to buy in 2008. However, the move was blocked by FIFA due to a work permit issue.
The Ghana youth star finally had the chance to travel abroad later that year, he joined Israel-based side Maccabi Haifa on loan. The deal was later made permanent.
Osei later in his career played for Asante Kotoko, FC Twente, Granada B, Bloemfontein Celtic and more.
Ransford Osei was a member of the team that won the 2009 African Youth championship in Rwanda and the U-20 World Cup in Egypt. He won the Best player and Golden boot award at the African Youth championship.
The former Asante Kotoko striker made just two appearances for the Black Stars and was part of the Black Stars team that finished 2nd at the 2010 AFCON in Angola.
In March 2021, Ransford Osei announced his retirement from football, retiring at the age of 30.