Opare to replace Rahman at Augsburg

Ghana defender Daniel Opare yesterday signed a three-year deal with German Bundesliga outfit Augsburg on a free transfer.

The 24-year-old sealed the move yesterday after which he was officially presented at the club’s WWK Arena.

It is expected that Opare would fill in for Augsburg’s departing Ghanaian star, Baba Abdul Rahman, who is close to completing a move to English Premiership side Chelsea, in a five-year deal reportedly worth £21.7million.

“I am looking forward to the challenge to play for FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga. My friend Abdul Baba Rahman has given me a positive impression about the club,” said Opare after the signing. He was handed the No. 4 shirt.

The club’s Managing Director, Stefan Reuter, said he had high expectation of the much-travelled Ghanaian star.

“With Daniel Opare, we have succeeded in signing a young, talented player with a wealth of experience in different clubs in Europe.

The Augsburg move ends a frustrating spell for the defender at FC Porto after both parties parted ways by mutual agreement, having joined the Portuguese side a year ago but had little playing time at the Estadio Dragao.

He spent the second half of last season on loan with Turkish side Besiktas, in a desperate bid to revive his career which had been blighted by injuries.