Antoine Semenyo Becomes Ghana’s Most Expensive Player Ever in £64M Man City Move

Antoine Semenyo Becomes Ghana’s Most Expensive Player Ever in £64M Man City Move

 

The January transfer window has its first true explosion, and it has a Ghanaian heart. Antoine Semenyo has officially completed a historic move from Bournemouth to Manchester City in a deal worth a staggering £64 million (€74 million). The 26-year-old Black Stars forward has not only joined the reigning world champions but has also shattered the record to become the most expensive Ghanaian footballer of all time, surpassing Mohammed Kudus’ recent €64 million move to Tottenham.

Semenyo, who has been in blistering form this season with 10 Premier League goals, signed a five-and-a-half-year contract that keeps him at the Etihad until 2031. In a symbolic move that has fans buzzing, Semenyo has been handed the No. 42 shirt—the iconic number once worn by club legend Yaya Touré. While the fee is massive, Pep Guardiola was clear that Semenyo was their "top priority" this winter, praising his humility and "goal-scoring instinct".

Semenyo didn’t waste a single second proving his worth. Just 24 hours after signing, he made his debut yesterday, January 10, in an FA Cup third-round clash against Exeter City. It was a bloodbath at the Etihad as City won 10-1—their biggest FA Cup win since 1987. Semenyo was the star of the show, marking his first appearance with a goal and an assist, ultimately walking away with the Man of the Match award.

From being rejected by multiple clubs as a teenager to becoming the most expensive player in Ghana's history and scoring on his Man City debut, Semenyo’s rise is the ultimate story of perseverance. As he put it himself: "The Etihad is my new home... I want to rewrite history again".