Gershon Koffie
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | August 25, 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Koforidua, Ghana | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | ||
| Number | 28 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2000–2006 | Rot-Weiss Accra | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2006–2009 | International Allies | ||
| 2010 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 2 | (0) |
| 2011– | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 84 | (7) |
| National team | |||
| 2011 | Ghana U20 | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 29, 2013. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Gershon Koffie (born August 25, 1991 in Koforidua) is a Ghanaian national and Canadian Permanent Resident[1] footballer who currently plays for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer.
Career
Youth
Koffie grew up in the Ghanaian capital Accra, and began his soccer career when he joined Rot-Weiss Accra - a development club affiliated with German club Rot-Weiss Essen - as a nine-year-old in 2000. He spent five years with Rot-Weiss Accra, before signing his first professional contract in 2006 with Ghanaian Division Two League team International Allies at the age of 15.
Professional
Koffie played four full seasons with International Allies, scoring 28 goals in all competitions, before leaving the club in 2009 to try to secure a spot with a professional team in Europe. The Swedish side Hammarby IF was at a scouting trip in Ghana when Koffie broke his leg. Hammarby helped him with the operation and the rehabilitation in Sweden. Later on he trained with the Danish club Randers, but was not offered a contract.
Having been spotted by Vancouver's director of soccer operations Tom Soehn at a tournament in Ghana six months previously, Koffie relocated to Canada in 2010, and subsequently signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps of the USSF Division 2 Professional League.[2][3] He made his Whitecaps debut on September 5, 2010 in a 0-0 tie with the Puerto Rico Islanders.[4] On February 9, 2011 he signed a new contract for the 2011 Major League Soccer season with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.[5] He scored his first goal for the club on August 7, 2011 in a 4-2 win over Chicago Fire.
International
Koffie was called up to the Ghana U-20 national team for the first time in July 2010.[6] He was named in Ghana's team for the 2011 African Youth Championship, starting against The Gambia on 21 April 2011. He was substituted after an hour for James Bissue.[7] He made a substitute appearance against Cameroon on 24 April 2011 replacing Paul Aidoo in the 67th minute.[8] Ghana were eliminated from the competition at the group stage finishing in third position behind Cameroon and Nigeria.
See also
- List of current MLS players
References
- ↑ "Koffie obtains permanent Canadian residency card and agrees to contract extension | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com. September 3, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
- ↑ Whitecaps add four, including MLS signer Salgado
- ↑ Teen Whitecap Gershon Koffie aims to impress with an eye to MLS
- ↑ "USSF Division-2 Pro League". Ussf.demosphere.com. 2010-09-05. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ↑ "Whitecaps FC sign Khalfan and Koffie". Whitecapsfc.com. 2011-02-09. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ↑ "Gershon Koffie profile". WhiteCapsFC. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- ↑ "Ghana vs The Gambia - 2011 African Youth Championship". CAFonline.com. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- ↑ "Ghana vs Cameroon - 2011 African Youth Championship". CAFonline.com. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
External links
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