Rising star Afriyie targets European dream
A Ghanaian teenage sensation, Jerry Afriyie, is making all the right headlines – and his rapid rise through the ranks of both club and country has now been recognised with a top national accolade.
The 18-year-old prodigy was crowned Best Young Player last Saturday night, scooping the prestigious Nii Odartey Lamptey Future Star Award at the 7th Ghana Football Awards in Accra -– a fitting recognition after a breakthrough season that saw him shine in both club and national colours.
Now the youngster is setting his sights on a big move to Europe.
Afriyie’s stock has soared since joining Saudi Pro League side, Al-Qadsiah, from lower-tier Ghanaian club ,Thought FC, but it was his recent loan spell at Spanish side, Lugo, that truly captured attention.
Since arriving in January, the gifted youngster bagged four goals and two assists in just 10 appearances, playing a key role in Lugo’s late-season fight against relegation in Spain’s third tier.
Importance to club
So vital was his presence that an unprecedented arrangement was struck between Lugo and Ghanaian football officials to allow Afriyie to briefly leave the national U-20 team camp during the CAF U-20 AFCON in Egypt, just so he could return to Spain and feature in crucial matches – before jetting back to rejoin his teammates at the qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
Afriyie first burst onto the continental stage during the 13th African Games held in Ghana in 2023, playing a pivotal role in Ghana’s triumphant campaign.
He was instrumental in the Black Satellites' charge to gold, helping them secure a hard-fought victory over Uganda in the final.His meteoric rise continued in October 2024 at the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Togo, where, despite Ghana finishing runners-up to Nigeria, Afriyie was the standout performer of the tournament.
He was crowned Best Player and claimed the Golden Boot, netting five goals in five matches, underlining his reputation as one of the region’s deadliest young forwards.
Rising stock
The crowning moment of his rapid ascent came in November 2024, when Afriyie made history as the first player from Ghana’s third-tier league to earn a call-up to the senior national team, Black Stars.
He made his Black Stars debut in November last year, marking the occasion in style as he come off the bench as a second-half substitute to score against Niger in an AFCON 2025 qualifier in Accra.
He followed it up with another lively cameo in Ghana’s 5-0 demolition of Chad during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in March, firmly announcing himself on the big stage.
Reflecting on the honour of winning the Future Star Award, Afriyie said: “I want to appreciate everyone, and I give thanks to God for winning the award. It means a lot to me — a very big motivation to do more.”
“I still have nostalgic feelings from when I first went to the national team camp. I was so happy, I couldn’t sleep. Winning this award is the only thing I can compare to that.”
Currently contracted to Al Qadsiah until 2028, Afriyie is clear about his ambitions and has his heart set on a move to Europe rather than continuing his development in Saudi Arabia.
“I don’t want to play in Saudi Arabia. I’m going to play in Europe. Al-Qadsiah understand that,” he declared boldly.
“I want to sign with a club that plays in a well-known league whose matches are watched globally – like the Premier League, La Liga, or even Holland or France. My agents are working hard, and I will get good news soon.”
Reflecting on the honour of winning the Future Star Award, Afriyie said: “I want to appreciate everyone, and I give thanks to God for winning the award. It means a lot to me; it's a very big motivation to do more.”
