Daniel Opare: How Ghana Defender Ditched Liverpool to Join Real Madrid

• Daniel Opare was close to signing for English giants Liverpool in 2008
• The FIFA U20 World Cup winner ended up joining Real Madrid
• Opare played for Ghana at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil

FIFA U20 World Cup winner, Daniel Opare came close to joining Liverpool in 2008, only to make a last minute U-turn and sign for Real Madrid.

At just 18, Opare had emerged as one of the best young right-backs after an outstanding FIFA U17 World Cup in Korea in 2007.

Several clubs came calling but it was Liverpool who took the real step by visiting Ghana to scout the much talked about teen sensation.

According to top Ghanaian sports journalist, Saddick Adams, the Reds sent scouts to Obuasi to watch Opare.

The Liverpool team were impressed with the youngster's talent as he fits in their system due to his pace and skills.

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A fee was agreed between Liverpool and the agent of the player with the English club also ready to partner Opare's former club Ashantigold.

However, after flying to England to finalize the move, Opare and his team rejected the deal after the defender changed his mind.

The former Ghana youth international had agreed to join Real Madrid instead, after his agent got a last minute call from Los Blancos.

Opare's move to Real Madrid saw him struggle for game time as competition for first team football became keen.

The following year, he joined the Black Satellites as Ghana made history by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U20 World Cup.

Despite his success with the Ghana U20, Opare's career in Spain never took off as injuries started to creep in.

He ended up joining Standard Liege in Belgium before enjoying spells at FC Porto, Besiktas, Augsburg, RC Lens, Royal Antwerp, Zulte Waregem and FC Seraing, as reported by Transfermarkt.

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Abdul Samed extends Lens contract

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Black Stars midfielder, Salis Abdul Samed has been handed a contract extension at French Ligue side RC Lens.

The 23-year-old signed a one-year deal that will keep him at the club until June 2028, after an impressive first season with the Blood and Gold.

Having joined the club from Clermont Foot last summer, the Ghana international made 33 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring a goal as Lens finished the season in second place.