Godwin Antwi

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Godwin Antwi

| full_name = Godwin Antwi Birago

| image = Antwi, Godwin.jpg

| caption =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1988|6|7}}

| birth_place = Kumasi, Ghana

| height = {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m|2|abbr=on}}

| position = Centre back

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2004

| youthclubs1 = Asante Kotoko

| youthyears2 = 2004

| youthclubs2 = San Gregorio

| youthyears3 = 2004–2005

| youthclubs3 = Zaragoza

| youthyears4 = 2005–2006

| youthclubs4 = Liverpool

| years1 = 2006–2009

| clubs1 = Liverpool

| caps1 = 0

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2007

| clubs2 = → Accrington Stanley (loan)

| caps2 = 9

| goals2 = 1

| years3 = 2007–2008

| clubs3 = → Hartlepool United (loan)

| caps3 = 27

| goals3 = 1

| years4 = 2008–2009

| clubs4 = → Tranmere Rovers (loan)

| caps4 = 7

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2009

| clubs5 = → Hereford United (loan)

| caps5 = 5

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2009–2011

| clubs6 = Vejle Boldklub

| caps6 = 27

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2011–2013

| clubs7 = Vejle Kolding

| caps7 = 6

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2013

| clubs8 = Bodø/Glimt

| caps8 = 19

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2014

| clubs9 = Sisaket FC

| caps9 = 31

| goals9 = 1

| years10 = 2015–2016

| clubs10 = DRB-Hicom F.C.

| caps10 = 29

| goals10 = 1

| years11 = 2017

| clubs11 = Melaka United

| caps11 = 12

| goals11 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2006–2008

| nationalteam1 = Spain U-19

| nationalcaps1 = 4

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| club-update = 23 January 2017

| nationalteam-update = 23 January 2017

| totalcaps = 172

| totalgoals = 5

}}

Godwin Antwi Birago (born 7 June 1988) is a professional footballer who can play at either centre-back or as a central midfielder. Born in Ghana, he is a youth international for Spain.

Club career

= Early career =

Antwi was born in Kumasi, Ghana. When he was 14 years old, he moved to Spain and lived there for three years.{{cite news | date=13 November 2006 | url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/deportes/espanol/Ghana/elppordep/20061111elpepidep_1/Tes | title=Un español de Ghana| publisher=elpais.com | accessdate=13 November 2006|language=es}} He initially played street soccer, before he entered the youth setup of Spanish club Real Zaragoza for 1 year. He eventually obtained a Spanish passport.{{Cite web|date=30 November 2006|title=Spain "Steals" Godwin Antwi|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=114767|access-date=30 May 2021|website=GhanaWeb|language=en}}

= Liverpool =

At 17 years of age, he was spotted by Paco Herrera, then head scout of Liverpool.{{cite news|date=24 August 2005|title=NEW BOY GODWIN LOVES THE ANFIELD ROAR|publisher=www.liverpoolfc.tv|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/new-boy-godwin-loves-the-anfield-roar|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140928052613/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/new-boy-godwin-loves-the-anfield-roar|archive-date=28 September 2014|accessdate=27 September 2014}} He watched Liverpool beat Chelsea home at Anfield in the semi-final of the 2005 UEFA Champions League. The experience of hearing the Anfield crowd left a great impression on him, and he expressed a desire to reach the status of former African Liverpool player, Guinean international striker Titi Camara. He joined Liverpool, who had newly been crowned the UEFA Champions League winners, when Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez offered him a contract in August 2005.

He started his Liverpool career, playing in the reserve team during the 2005–06 season. Due to a striker shortage, he initially played up front. In his usual defending position, he helped Liverpool win the 2006 FA Youth Cup, beating Manchester City in the final.

On 8 November 2006, Antwi was called up by the Under-19 Youth setup of the Spain national team to train with them.{{cite news|date=16 November 2006|title=La nueva perla negra del Liverpool es un hispanoganés|language=es|publisher=labolsa.com|url=http://www.labolsa.com/foro/mensajes/1163680719/|accessdate=16 November 2006|archive-date=13 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713180408/http://www.labolsa.com/foro/mensajes/1163680719/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news | date=13 November 2006 | url=http://www.as.com/articulo/futbol/Seleccion/espanola/integra/dasftbU00/20061115dasdaiftb_29/Tes/ | title=LA SELECCIÓN ESPAÑOLA INTEGRA| publisher=as.com | accessdate=13 November 2006|language=es}} The call-up was possible due to his Spanish passport. Despite the Spain Under-19 team call-up,{{cite web |url=http://www.cdnumancia.com/foro/forum_posts.asp?TID=1464&PN=1&TPN=7|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930203520/http://www.cdnumancia.com/foro/forum_posts.asp?TID=1464&PN=1&TPN=7|archivedate=30 September 2007|title=Mensaje|publisher=cdnumancia.com|date=15 November 2007|accessdate=27 September 2014}} Antwi could freely choose which country to represent at a senior level before he turned 21 years old.

On 10 January 2007, Antwi was named captain of the Liverpool Reserves for the first time, and the 18-year-old led by example at the back against the experienced Neil Shipperley of Sheffield United.{{cite news|date=10 January 2007|title=LINDFIELD EARNS RESERVES VICTORY|publisher=Liverpool.tv|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/lindfield-earns-reserves-victory|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140928052613/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/lindfield-earns-reserves-victory|archive-date=28 September 2014|accessdate=27 September 2007}} On 13 March, it was announced that he had joined Accrington Stanley on a month's loan.{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/antwi-joins-stanley-on-loan |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140928052517/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/antwi-joins-stanley-on-loan |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 September 2014 |work=liverpoolfc.tv |title=Antwi Joins Stanley on Loan |date=12 March 2007 |accessdate=27 September 2014 }} He remained at Stanley until the end of the season.

Antwi joined Hartlepool United on a season-long loan for the 2007–08 season on 29 June 2007. He scored his first goal for Hartlepool against Doncaster on 18 August 2007.{{cite news

| title = Hartlepool Loan Liverpool Defender

| url = http://www.hartlepool.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=71415

| publisher = Vital Hartlepool

| date = 29 June 2007

| accessdate = 29 June 2007

| archive-date = 13 August 2007

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070813183851/http://www.hartlepool.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=71415

| url-status = dead

}}

In July 2008 he joined Tranmere Rovers on loan until January 2009.{{cite news |title=Tranmere sign Liverpool's Antwi |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tranmere_rovers/7525323.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=25 July 2008 |accessdate=25 July 2008 }} He returned to Anfield, only to be loaned out again in February 2009, this time to League One side Hereford United, and made his debut in their 2–0 home win over Leeds United.

Antwi was released by Liverpool FC on 16 June 2009.

= Vejle BK =

On 23 December Antwi signed a half-year-long contract with Danish club Vejle BK.{{Cite web|url=http://www.vejle-boldklub.dk/index.php?nyheder-generelle&newsId=3011|title=Vejle Boldklub – Topfodbold i Regionen|access-date=13 January 2010|archive-date=23 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923232735/http://www.vejle-boldklub.dk/index.php?nyheder-generelle&newsId=3011|url-status=dead}}

= Bodø/Glimt =

After his contract with Vejle expired, Antwi signed a half-year contract with Norwegian First Division side Bodø/Glimt on 30 July 2013.{{cite news |url=http://www.an.no/glimt/article6783536.ece |language=Norwegian |title=Her er Glimts nye forsterkning |newspaper=Avisa Nordland |first=Freddy |last=Toresen |date=30 July 2013 |accessdate=16 December 2013}} He made his debut in the 2–0 victory against Sandefjord.{{cite news |url=http://www.an.no/glimt/article6903729.ece |language=Norwegian |title=Endelig duket for Antwi |newspaper=Avisa Nordland |first=Freddy |last=Toresen |date=7 October 2013 |accessdate=16 December 2013}}

= Sisaket FC =

Antwi signed for Sisaket of the Thai Premier League on 23 February 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3875/transfer-zone/2014/02/23/4640669/former-liverpool-defender-godwin-antwi-joins-thai-side|title=Former Liverpool defender Godwin Antwi joins Thai side Sisaket|first=Edmund|last=Okai Gyimah|publisher=goal.com|date=23 February 2014|accessdate=27 September 2014}} He made his debut in the 0–1 loss against Osotspa Saraburi F.C.

On 15 October 2014 Antwi scored his first goal in Thai Premier League in 1–3 loss against Buriram United.

= DRB-Hicom FC =

Despite Sisaket FC's offer to extend his contract, Antwi made a decision to sign with a Malaysia Premier League side, DRB-Hicom F.C. He continues to be a very influential figure in the club, providing his team a rock-solid defence and much needed leadership at the back.{{Cite web|url=https://semuanyabola.com/godwin-antwi-melaka-united-liverpool/|title=Godwin Antwi: Hulubalang Melaka United Dari Akademi Liverpool|last=BOLA|first=Semuanya|website=Semuanya BOLA|date=19 January 2017|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-20}}

= Melaka United =

However, after a year and a half playing, DRB-Hicom F.C. announced they will defunct the senior team for financial reason. Released as a free agent, it didn't take too long for Antwi to find a new club following a strong performance in Malaysia Premier League 2016 season. He was immediately signed by Melaka United F.C. following their promotion to Malaysia Super League.

Honours

= Club =

Liverpool Youth

FA Youth Cup: 2005–06{{Cite web|date=15 June 2009|title=Liverpoolfc.tv: Profile|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/antwi/|access-date=2021-05-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615161424/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/antwi/|archive-date=15 June 2009}}

Bodø/Glimt

Norwegian First Division: 2013{{Cite web|title=Ghana - G. Antwi - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|url=https://gh.soccerway.com/players/godwin-antwi/51162/|access-date=2021-05-30|website=gh.soccerway.com}}

References

External links

{{Soccerbase}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20120415122841/http://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10326~39529%2C00.html Antwi’s Official Hartlepool United F.C. profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20090615161424/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/antwi/ Liverpool FC profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927212714/http://www.hartlepool.vitalfootball.co.uk/player.asp?p=300 Vital Hartlepool Profile: Godwin Antwi]
[https://archive.today/20130212211054/http://www.vejleboldklubkolding.dk/index.php?spiller=6588 Vejle Boldklub Kolding profile: Godwin Antwi]

Category:1988 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Kumasi

Category:Spanish men's footballers

Category:Spain men's youth international footballers

Category:Ghanaian men's footballers

Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers

Category:Ghanaian emigrants to Spain

Category:Naturalised citizens of Spain

Category:Liverpool F.C. players

Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players

Category:Hartlepool United F.C. players