17-year-old striker signs two-year deal to join Dutch side after turning 18, pending residence permit
FC Utrecht have officially secured the signing of highly rated Ghanaian striker Nana Gyamfi-Amoah, who will make the move to the Dutch Eredivisie side in the summer of 2026, once he turns 18 and completes all required immigration procedures.
The 17-year-old forward, who currently plays for Accra Shooting Stars FC in Ghana, has signed a two-year contract with FC Utrecht, keeping him at the club until the middle of 2028. His transfer, though agreed in principle, is contingent on obtaining a valid residence permit, as per the rules governing international transfers involving minors.
Born and raised in Ghana, Nana Gyamfi-Amoah has spent the past five years developing his skills at Accra Shooting Stars FC, where he joined the club’s youth training programme at the age of 12. His impressive rise through the ranks has caught the attention of scouts across Europe, thanks to his strong physical presence, intelligent movement, and keen eye for goal.
The young attacker has also demonstrated promise on the international stage, having represented Ghana’s Under-15 national team and completing a training internship with German Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund—an experience that further fueled his ambitions to play top-tier European football.
Speaking shortly after the announcement of his future move to the Netherlands, Gyamfi-Amoah expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to begin the next chapter of his career with FC Utrecht.
“This is a dream come true,” said the teenage striker. “I am incredibly grateful to God for this opportunity and can’t wait to get on the pitch, show my qualities, and be part of this beautiful football family—even if I have to wait until I am 18.”
The young Ghanaian also gave insights into his playing style and what FC Utrecht fans can expect from him when he finally dons the club’s red and white jersey.
“I am a confident player: I set up attacks, make passes, am quick and shoot with precision. Nothing stops me on the pitch and my teammates can expect 100 per cent commitment from me every game,” Gyamfi-Amoah declared. “I am immensely looking forward to becoming part of FC Utrecht and meeting the club’s supporters.”
The move highlights FC Utrecht’s ongoing commitment to identifying and nurturing young international talent. The club’s technical department has been closely following Gyamfi-Amoah’s development in Ghana, where he has stood out for his goal-scoring instinct, work ethic, and maturity beyond his years.
A spokesperson for FC Utrecht praised the acquisition of the striker, noting the long-term vision behind the transfer.
“We are thrilled to have reached an agreement with Nana Gyamfi-Amoah. He is a player with tremendous potential and has already shown that he possesses the talent and mindset needed to succeed at the top level,” the club stated. “While we understand that the move will only be completed in 2026 due to age and permit requirements, we are confident that Nana will be more than ready to take on the challenge when the time comes.”
Gyamfi-Amoah’s signing is part of a broader scouting initiative by the Dutch side to tap into promising footballers from across Africa and offer them a structured pathway into European football. The club believes the Ghanaian forward will benefit from FC Utrecht’s professional training environment, youth development infrastructure, and supportive team culture.
With the signing now confirmed, Nana will continue his development at Accra Shooting Stars FC over the next year. The Ghanaian club is known for its strong focus on player development and has played a crucial role in nurturing the striker’s talent. The club also expressed pride in seeing one of their own take such a big step toward an international career.
“We are extremely proud of Nana and what he has accomplished,” a representative from Accra Shooting Stars FC shared. “He has always been a focused, disciplined and hardworking young man, and we are confident that he will excel in Europe. His success is a reflection of the work we do at Shooting Stars to groom the next generation of Ghanaian footballers.”
The move also represents a growing trend of young African players transitioning to European clubs at an early age, often joining development squads before breaking into first teams. FC Utrecht’s structured plan ensures that Gyamfi-Amoah will be integrated gradually, with support systems in place to ease his transition both on and off the field.
In the meantime, fans of the Dutch club will have to wait patiently until 2026, when the teenager becomes eligible to officially join the squad. Until then, the club will maintain regular contact with the player, monitor his development in Ghana, and prepare for a smooth onboarding once he arrives in the Netherlands.
For Nana Gyamfi-Amoah, the countdown to his European dream has already begun. And if his past performances are any indication of the future, FC Utrecht may well have secured a rising star of Ghanaian football.
