Mathew Cudjoe

Mathew Cudjoe
Personal information
Full name Mathew Anim Cudjoe
Date of birth (2003-11-11) 11 November 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Prestea, Ghana
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Bnei Sakhnin
Number 11
Youth career
Great Somas
2018–2019 Young Apostles
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2021 Young Apostles 0 (0)
2019–2020 → Asante Kotoko (loan) 6 (1)
2020–2021 → Legon Cities (loan) 12 (2)
2021–2024 Dundee United 36 (4)
2024– Bnei Sakhnin 0 (0)
International career
2019– Ghana U20 6 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 June 2024 (UTC)

Mathew Anim Cudjoe (born 11 November 2003) is a Ghanaian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bnei Sakhnin and the Ghana national under-20 football team.

Cudjoe began his career with Ghana Division Two team Young Apostles.[1] He went on to play for Ghana Premier League sides Asante Kotoko and Legon Cities.[2][3] He most recently played for Dundee United.

Club career

Youth career

Cudjoe started his career with Great Somas in Accra till he transferred to Sunyani based a Division Two club Young Apostles, managed by Ghanaian football administrator Samuel Anim Addo.[4][5] Samuel Anim Addo is also Cudjoe's manager and football agent, he happens to be the Manager of Ghanaian Striker Asamoah Gyan as well.[2][6] Cudjoe was scouted and later signed up by Addo after he had competed in the maiden edition of the BabyJet U-16 tournament at the Asamoah Gyan Sports Complex in Accra Academy. He scored 6 goals at the end of the tournament, scoring a hattrick in one of the matches, to help his team win the tournament.[7] He also ended the tournament as the top goalscorer and was crowned the overall best player.[8][9][4] Cudjoe made his first team debut for Dundee United in a 1/1 draw with Hibernian on April 2, 2022 when he came on as a sub and immediately made an impression [10]

Asante Kotoko (loan)

Cudjoe signed by Asante Kotoko in December 2019 on a season-long deal.[11][5] On 22 December 2019, he won his first trophy with the club, after Asante Kotoko defeated their rivals Hearts of Oak by 2–1 victory in the President's Cup.[12][13] He made his professional league debut in the Ghana Premier League on 1 January 2020 at the age of 16 years in a match against Legon Cities FC, coming on as a substitute in the 84th minute replacing Emmanuel Gyamfi.[14] In a match against rivals Hearts of Oak on 24 January 2020, Cudjoe was brought on as a substitute with the match in a 1–1 draw stance, when he was brought on, he was fouled in the penalty box which drew a penalty that was scored by Naby Keita in the 90th minute to help the team win 2-1 as the end of the match.[15][16][17] He scored his debut Ghana Premier League goal in a home match against Ebusua Dwarfs, helping Asante Kotoko to secure a 2–0 victory.[18][19] He played 6 matches and scored 1 goal as the 2019–2020 season came to an abrupt end due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20][21][15] After his loan deal ended Asante Kotoko tried to sign him on a long-term deal but the deal fell through and no agreement was made.[22][23][24] He became a fan favourite during his time at the club.[25][26]

Legon Cities (loan)

Cudjoe was signed on season long loan deal by Accra-based team, Legon Cities FC.[1][3] He was signed as part of the signing deal of Asamoah Gyan.[27][28] He was not unveiled as part of the team's new players unveiling session but was later unveiled on his 17th Birthday on 11 November 2020 via the club's social media handles.[29][30]

Dundee United

On 17 November 2021, Scottish Premiership team Dundee United announced the signing of Cudjoe subject to international clearance, upon approval of his Visa application.[31] Cudjoe made his first team debut for Dundee United in a 1-1 draw with Hibernian on 2 April 2022 when he came on as a substitute. Cudjoe made his first start on 9 May in a league game against Rangers.[32] He scored his first his first competitive goal for Dundee United in a 4-0 victory in Arbroath on the 4th of August 2023. Despite some promising performances, he failed to agree a new deal with the Scottish club and left in the summer of 2024.

International career

Cudjoe was a member of the Ghana national under-20 football team at the 2019 African Games.[33][34] He started in the final match of the group stage against Mali as Ghana lost by 4-2 and were eliminated from the competition.[35][36] He was also a member of the Black Satellites at the WAFU B U-20 Championship in 2020. He played in all matches at the tournament helping the team to finish as champions of West Africa Zone B and qualify for the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.[37][38][39]

Career statistics

Club

As of 1 June 2024
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Asante Kotoko 2019–20 Ghana Premier League 6 1 0 0 – – 6 1
Legon Cities 2020–21 Ghana Premier League 12 2 0 0 – – 12 2
Dundee United 2021–22 Scottish Premiership 2 0 – – – 2 0
2022–23 12 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 16 0
2023–24 Scottish Championship 22 4 1 0 – 2 1 25 5
Total 36 4 3 0 1 0 3 1 43 5
Bnei Sakhnin 2024–25 Israeli Premier League 0 0 0 0 – – 0 0
Career total 54 7 3 0 1 0 3 1 61 8

Honours

Dundee United

Asante Kotoko

Ghana U20

References

  1. ^ a b "Legon Cities gazump giants Kotoko for Matthew Cudjoe". www.ghanaweb.com. 25 October 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Mathew Cudjoe will welcome Black Stars call-up – Anim Addo". Ghana Web. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Matthew Anim Cudjoe bids farewell to Asante Kotoko". www.ghanaweb.com. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Talent Tavern: Great Somax wonder kid Mathew Kudjo emerges tsar at Baby Jet U16 tourney". GhanaSoccernet. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Asante Kotoko unveils 16-year-old wonderkid Mathew Anim Cudjoe". Citi Sports Online. 29 December 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Asamoah Gyan's business manager Anim Addo responds to reported $500,000 Asante Kotoko demand | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Semi-finals for Baby Jet U16 tourney confirmed - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  8. ^ "The best photos of the maiden BabyJet U-16 tournament - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  9. ^ "BabyJet U-16 tournament Dream Team to begin camping today - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Ghana U20 sensation Matthew Anim-Cudjoe finally makes Dundee United debut in Scottish Premiership - Kickgh.com". www.kickgh.com.
  11. ^ "Asante Kotoko signs Matthew Anim Cudjoe for the season". www.ghanaweb.com. 29 December 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  12. ^ "2019 President Cup: Asante Kotoko coach picks unpredictable starting XI to face Hearts of Oak- 'Messi' Matthew Cudjoe named on bench". GhanaSoccernet. 22 December 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  13. ^ a b Teye, Prince Narkortu (22 December 2019). "Asante Kotoko down Hearts of Oak to win Ghana President's Cup". Goal. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  14. ^ "Kotoko starlet Matthew Cudjoe marks Ghana Premier League debut". GhanaSoccernet. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Mathew Cudjoe grateful to Asante Kotoko as he moves to Legon Cities". GhanaSoccernet. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Asante Kotoko sting Hearts of Oak in Ghana Premier League derby". www.goal.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  17. ^ "GHPL: Keita's 90th-minute penalty leads Kotoko over Hearts 2-1 - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  18. ^ "Matthew Cudjoe Delighted With First Goal For Kotoko". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  19. ^ "Teenager Matthew Cudjoe scores as Kotoko return to winning ways". www.ghanaweb.com. 19 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  20. ^ "Matthew Cudjoe awaits new deal from Kotoko". Graphic Online. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  21. ^ "Mathew Cudjoe, 16, insists he felt no pressure at Asante Kotoko". GhanaSoccernet. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  22. ^ "Kotoko Shut The Door On Asamoah Gyan And Matthew Anim Cudjoe". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  23. ^ "Mathew Cudjoe's manager demanded $250,000 – Kotoko CEO - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  24. ^ "Kotoko must intensify effort to sign Mathew Cudjoe – Anim Addo". Footballghana. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  25. ^ "'Thank You' - Matthew Cudjoe Sends Gratitude Message To Asante Kotoko After Legon Cities Move". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  26. ^ "Kotoko prodigy Matthew Cudjoe showered with cash after amazing show in Hearts game". GhanaSoccernet. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  27. ^ "Asamoah Gyan joins Legon Cities, agent confirms to Joy Sports deal worth more than $1 million - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  28. ^ "Legon Cities sign wonder kid Matthew Cudjoe". Citi Sports Online. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  29. ^ "VIDEO: Legon Cities FC Unveil Teen Sensation Mathew Anim Cudjoe". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  30. ^ "VIDEO: Legon Cities unveil sensational teen Mathew Cudjoe". GhanaSoccernet. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  31. ^ "Breaking News: Ghanaian teen Mathew Anim Cudjoe joins Scottish premiership club Dundee United". GhanaSoccernet. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  32. ^ "Rangers beat Dundee United to keep Celtic's title celebrations on hold".
  33. ^ "I want to make my Black Stars debut before I turn 17 years - Mathew Anim Cudjoe". www.ghanaweb.com. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  34. ^ "BREAKING NEWS: Ghana U-20 coach Yaw Preko names final 18-man squad for Africa Games". GhanaSoccernet. 12 August 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  35. ^ GNA. "African Games 2019: Ghana bow out after Mali defeat". Graphic SPORTS. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  36. ^ "African Games: Ghana 2-4 Mali: Black Satellites crash out | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  37. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Ghana stage remarkable fightback to win WAFU B U-20 Championship". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  38. ^ "Black Satellites winger Mathew Cudjoe delighted to help Ghana qualify for AYC". GhanaSoccernet. 21 December 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  39. ^ "Ghana beat Burkina Faso 2-1 to win WAFU Zone B U-20 tournament". GhanaSoccernet. 19 December 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  40. ^ "Live Updates: Ghana wins fourth U-20 AFCON title after beating Uganda". GhanaSoccernet. 6 March 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.