Black Stars defender Samuel Inkoom says former Real Madrid head coach Juande Ramos played a role in his move to Ukrainian side Dnipro.
The Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club player said this in an exclusive interview on Citi TV’s “The Tracker” where he touched on several aspects of his football career.
At the peak of his career, Inkoom secured a big money move to Ukrainian side FC Dnipro from Swiss side FC Basel in a surprise move considering the then 22 year old was being courted by a slew of teams in Western Europe.
While acknowledging the role Dnipro’s very lucrative deal played in the transfer, Inkoom pointed to Ramos’ belief he could improve Inkoom’s play just as he improved Dani Alves during his time with the Brazilian’s time at Sevilla.
“He even called me. Juande Ramos called me; hey Samuel, come I need you. Imagine former Real Madrid coach calling you, having confidence in you, brother you go.
One thing he told me that pushed me so much, [he was coaching Dani Alves in Sevilla] so he told me that hey listen you have the same style and if you come to Dnipro, because you are young, you will be even more than Dani Alves” Inkoom said.
Ramos won the Spanish Copa del Rey title, the 2006 UEFA Super Cup title and two UEFA Cup now Europa League titles with Alves at Sevilla.
Inkoom’s time at Dnipro was largely disappointing and ended in a loan move to French Ligue 1 side Bastia in 2013; the 34 year old played the 2022-2023 season with Hearts of Oak in the BetPawa Ghana Premier League that ended in a 12th position finish for the Phobia club.
