David Accam facts for kids
Accam with Ghana in 2015
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 28 September 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana | ||
| Height | 1.74 m | ||
| Playing position | Winger | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2004–2008 | Right to Dream Academy | ||
| 2011–2012 | Nike Football Academy | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2009–2010 | Ledbury Town | 8 | (5) |
| 2010–2011 | Evesham United | 20 | (10) |
| 2010–2011 | → Forest Green Rovers (dual registration) |
0 | (0) |
| 2012 | Östersunds FK | 14 | (9) |
| 2012–2014 | Helsingborgs IF | 62 | (30) |
| 2015–2017 | Chicago Fire | 78 | (33) |
| 2018–2019 | Philadelphia Union | 31 | (5) |
| 2019 | Columbus Crew SC | 15 | (2) |
| 2020–2021 | Nashville SC | 7 | (1) |
| 2021 | → Hammarby IF (loan) | 13 | (1) |
| 2022 | Inter Turku | 10 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2014–2017 | Ghana | 11 | (1) |
† Appearances (Goals). |
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David Accam (born September 28, 1990) is a former professional footballer from Ghana. He played as a winger, which means he played on the sides of the field. David also played 11 games for the Ghana national team.
Contents
David Accam's Football Journey
Starting in Ghana
David Accam didn't join a football club until he was 12 years old. Before that, he played football with his friends on gravel fields in Accra, Ghana. A scout from the Right to Dream Academy saw him playing. David then spent four years learning and playing at this academy.
Playing in England
In 2008, David received a special scholarship to study at Hartpury College in England. While studying, he also played for different football teams in the lower leagues there.
He joined an English club called Ledbury Town in December 2009. David scored a goal in his very first game for them! After that, he played for Evesham United during the 2010–11 season. He also played for the reserve team at Forest Green Rovers. Because David was in England on a student visa, he couldn't play for the main teams in higher divisions.
After his time at Evesham United, he joined a special competition called "The Chance" by Nike. He was one of eight winners who got to train with the Nike Football Academy for a whole season.
Moving to Sweden
In March 2012, David signed with a Swedish team called Östersund. Their coach, Graham Potter, had already signed other Ghanaian players who studied with David. After seeing David play at the Nike Academy, he brought him to Sweden. David quickly became a star player for Östersund. Many bigger clubs in Sweden became interested in him.
Later in August 2012, David joined Allsvenskan club Helsingborg. This was a big step up for him. He was supposed to go back to Östersund on loan, but Helsingborg called him back to play in an important Champions League qualifying game.
David played very well for Helsingborg, scoring many goals. After three years, he decided to leave Helsingborg to find new opportunities. Many big clubs from different countries were interested in signing him.
Playing in Major League Soccer (USA)
On December 19, 2014, David signed with Chicago Fire in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. He was a "designated player," which means he was one of the team's most important players.
After three seasons with Chicago, David moved to Philadelphia Union in January 2018. In his first year with Philadelphia, he had some injuries. But in his second season, he played much better, scoring 4 goals in 11 games.
In May 2019, he was traded to Columbus Crew SC. Soon after, it was announced that he would move to Nashville SC starting in 2020, but he finished the 2019 season with Columbus. After the 2021 season, his contract with Nashville ended.
Back to Sweden and Finland
On January 28, 2021, David joined Hammarby IF in Sweden on a loan. He played his first game for them on April 1 and even scored a goal! On May 30, 2021, David and Hammarby IF won the Svenska Cupen, which is a big cup competition in Sweden. He even scored in the penalty shootout during the final game. At the end of the year, he left the club.
In August 2022, David signed a contract with a Finnish team called Inter Turku.
International Career for Ghana
David Accam was first called to play for the Ghana national team in March 2013. This was for a 2014 World Cup qualifying match. He was on the team but didn't play in that game.
In May 2014, David was named in a group of players for the 2014 World Cup. However, he was later left out of the final team. He was disappointed, but he kept working hard.
On November 15, 2014, David finally played his first international game for Ghana. It was a qualifying match for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. He came into the game as a substitute. He was also chosen for Ghana's team for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
David Accam's Personal Life
David Accam received his U.S. green card in October 2015. This allowed him to be considered a local player for MLS teams.
David is a big fan of the English football club Arsenal. He is also a devout Christian. On January 3, 2019, he married Florence Dadson, who is also a Ghanaian international footballer.
Honours and Achievements
David Accam has won or been a runner-up in several competitions:
- Helsingborg
- Svenska Cupen runner-up: 2013–14
- Philadelphia Union
- U.S. Open Cup runner-up: 2018
- Hammarby IF
- Svenska Cupen: 2020–21
- Inter Turku
- Suomen Cup runner-up: 2022
- Ghana
- Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2015
