Antoine Semenyo becomes most expensive Ghanaian player after Man City transfer

Manchester City have officially completed the signing of Ghana international Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth in a deal worth 65 million Pounds, marking the biggest transfer involving a Ghanaian footballer.

The Premier League champions triggered Semenyo’s release clause earlier this week, with the 26-year-old forward putting pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2031.

Semenyo completed his medical on Thursday, a day after featuring for Bournemouth against Tottenham Hotspur in what proved to be his final appearance for the Cherries.

City were the only club to formally activate the clause, despite strong interest from Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham in recent months.

Reacting to his move, Semenyo expressed his delight at joining Pep Guardiola’s side, describing it as the perfect step at this stage of his career.

“I am so proud to have joined Manchester City,” Semenyo said. “This is a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever. I believe City can take my game to the next level and my best football is still to come.”

The Ghanaian forward enjoyed a meteoric rise at Bournemouth after joining from Bristol City in January 2023.

He went on to make 110 appearances for the south coast club, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most dynamic attackers.

This season alone, Semenyo scored 10 league goals, including a memorable brace at Liverpool and a last-gasp winner against Tottenham.

His transfer will also benefit Bristol City, who are entitled to 20 per cent of the profit from the deal, having sold him to Bournemouth for around 10 million Pounds.

At City, Semenyo is expected to provide pace, power and versatility across the frontline, while continuing his key role with the Black Stars.

He has earned over 30 caps for Ghana and featured at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The move represents a major milestone in Semenyo’s career and further underlines the growing impact of Ghanaian players at the highest level of European football.