Ransford Osei: FIFA U20 World Cup Winner Reveals Reason for Failed Move to Real Madrid

• Ransford Osei has revealed why his move to Real Madrid failed
• The former Ghana international was on the verge of joining the Spanish giants
• The ex-Asante Kotoko striker won the FIFA U-20 World Cup with Ghana in 2009

Former Ghana youth international, Ransford Osei has opened up on his failed move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Osei was close to joining the La Liga side after a successful U-17 FIFA World Cup in Korea in 2007, but his club at that time, Kessben Academy, were demanding more money.

According to the retired footballer, the European heavyweights offered a million dollars to sign him in 2008.

Following the botched move, Osei later spent three months at Manchester City in hopes of securing a deal.

“After the World Cup, I was wanted by all the big clubs. I remember an offer from Real Madrid came,” he told King Jersey TV, as quoted by Pulse.

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“Myself and Daniel Opare, but then Kessben said the offer from Real Madrid was not enough because another club was offering them one million dollars, but Opare went.

"I had an opportunity to move to Manchester City, where I stayed for three months, where they arranged for my work permit, but there was this rule that you must have played 75 per cent with the Black Stars, so it was difficult for me to secure one, and I had to leave for Israel," Osei added.

Osei's career was expected to blossom after the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2009 in Egypt.

However, after spells at Maccabi Haifa, FC Twente, and Granada, he returned to Africa to sign for Polokwane City.

The former Asante Kotoko player retired in 2019 after last playing for FK Palanga in Lithuania, as reported by Transfermarkt.

FIFA celebrates Ghana's success

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that world football governing body, FIFA has celebrated West African giants Ghana on their 12th anniversary of winning the U-20 World Cup.

The Black Satellites defeated Brazil on penalties on October 16, 2009, to become the first team from Africa to win the tournament at the U-20 level.

In photos shared on Twitter by FIFA, the Black Satellites were recognized for showing immense character after playing most of the game with a man down.

Ghana prepare for Madagascar

The Black Stars of Ghana held their first training session in Accra on Monday ahead of the penultimate Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.

Twenty-three out of the twenty-five players who reported to camp participated in full training as the players warmed themselves up ahead of Sunday's game in Antananarivo.

Thomas Partey and Gideon Mensah were the only players who did not take part in training.