Kelvin Yeboah
{{Short description|Footballer (born 2000)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Kelvin Yeboah
| image = FC RB Salzburg gegen SK Sturm Graz (24. Oktober 2021) 120 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Yeboah in 2021
| full_name = Kelvin Kwarteng Yeboah
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|05|06|df=y}}
| birth_place = Accra, Ghana
| position = Striker
| currentclub = Minnesota United
| clubnumber = 9
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = West Ham United
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Gozzano
| years1 = 2017–2018
| clubs1 = AC London
| caps1 = 19
| goals1 = 6
| years2 = 2018–2021
| clubs2 = WSG Tirol
| caps2 = 56
| goals2 = 10
| years3 = 2021–2022
| clubs3 = Sturm Graz
| caps3 = 34
| goals3 = 17
| years4 = 2022–2024
| clubs4 = Genoa
| caps4 = 28
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2023
| clubs5 = → FC Augsburg (loan)
| caps5 = 13
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2023–2024
| clubs6 = → Montpellier (loan)
| caps6 = 13
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2024
| clubs7 = → Standard Liège (loan)
| caps7 = 14
| goals7 = 6
| years8 = 2024–
| clubs8 = Minnesota United
| caps8 = 12
| goals8 = 9
| nationalyears1 = 2021–2022
| nationalteam1 = Italy U21
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 10:15, 1 January 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 29 March 2022
}}
Kelvin Kwarteng Yeboah (born 6 May 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club Minnesota United. Born in Ghana, Yeboah was a youth international for Italy.
He is the nephew of former Ghanaian international footballer Tony Yeboah.{{cite web |last1=Geiler |first1=Christoph |title=Geständnis: Kelvin Yeboah ist gar nicht der Sohn von Anthony Yeboah |trans-title=Confession: Kelvin Yeboah is not the son of Anthony Yeboah at all |url=https://kurier.at/sport/fussball/gestaendnis-kelvin-yeboah-ist-gar-nicht-der-sohn-von-anthony-yeboah/400647272 |website=kurier.at |date=15 October 2019 |language=de}}
Club career
Yeboah joined the academy of Premier League side West Ham United before joining Italian Serie C side Gozzano academy.{{cite web|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/exclusive-tony-yeboahs-son-kelvin-signs-one-year-deal-with-german-side-wsg-wattens |title=EXCLUSIVE: Tony Yeboah's son Kelvin signs one-year deal with German side WSG Wattens |date=19 June 2018 |accessdate=10 December 2018 |publisher=Ghana Soccernet}} In November 2017, Yeboah held a trial with Danish Superliga side Aalborg BK training with their first team.{{cite web|url=https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/aab-tester-leeds-legendes-soen/fedbd951-7fab-4726-aa82-8ab1c032c189 |title=AaB tests Leeds legend's son |date=4 November 2017 |accessdate=25 September 2019|publisher=Nordjyske}} Yeboah saw the rest of the 2017–18 season out with Combined Counties League Division One club AC London, scoring six league goals in 19 appearances.{{cite web|url=https://fulltime.thefa.com/statsForPlayer.html?selectedOrgStatRecordingTypeID_ForSort=&teamID=&selectedStatisticDisplayMode=3&personID=365617124&selectedSeasonID=659468196 |title=Kelvin Yeboah Player Stats|accessdate=19 May 2022|publisher=Full-Time FA}}
On 19 June 2018, Yeboah signed for Austrian Bundesliga side WSG Tirol. He made his debut for the club in August 2019 against Austria Klagenfurt. He helped his club earn promotion to the Austrian Football Bundesliga after winning the Austrian Second Division for the 2018–19 season. After earning promotion, on 4 July 2019 Yeboah signed a new longer-term contract at WSG.{{cite web|url=https://www.spox.com/at/sport/fussball/oesterreich/1907/Artikel/wsg-tirol-verlaengert-mit-kelvin-yeboah.html|title=WSG Tirol extends with Kelvin Yeboah |date=4 July 2019 |accessdate=25 September 2019 |publisher=Sky Sports Austria}}
He made his first appearance in Bundesliga on 31 August 2019, playing in a 1–5 defeat against FC Salzburg, which included a goal from FC Salzburg striker Erling Haaland, whose father Alfie Haaland had briefly been a teammate of Kelvin's uncle Tony at Leeds United in 1997.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match?gameId=549221|title=WSG Tirol 1 FC Salzburg 5 |date=31 August 2019|accessdate=25 September 2019 |publisher=ESPN}}
On 25 September 2019, Yeboah came to prominence on a big stage, by scoring four goals in a single match for WSG Tirol in the 5–2 Austrian Cup victory against Austria Wien.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysportaustria.at/oefb-cup/cup-schmach-wsg-tirol-demuetigt-wiener-austria/ |title=Cup shame: WSG Tirol humiliates Wiener Austria |date=25 September 2019 |accessdate=25 September 2019 |publisher=Sky Sports Austria}}
On 6 February 2021, Yeboah transferred to fellow Austrian Bundesliga side Sturm Graz, signing a contract until the summer of 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.sksturm.at/de/news/kampfmannschaft/2021/yeboah-unterschreibt-bis-2024/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206181816/https://www.sksturm.at/de/news/kampfmannschaft/2021/yeboah-unterschreibt-bis-2024/|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 February 2021|title=Kelvin Yeboah wechselt nach Graz|trans-title=Kelvin Yeboah is moving to Graz|publisher=SK Sturm Graz|date=6 February 2021|accessdate=8 February 2021|language=German}}
On 8 January 2022, Yeboah joined Serie A club Genoa for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|publisher=Genoa|url=https://genoacfc.it/il-genoa-sprinta-con-kelvin-yeboah/|title=IL GENOA SPRINTA CON KELVIN YEBOAH|work=Genoa Cricket and Football Club - Official Website |date=8 January 2022|language=it |author1=Olmi }} After suffering relegation with the Grifone and playing the first half of the season in Serie B, on 18 January 2023 Yeboah was loaned out to Bundesliga side FC Augsburg until the end of the season, with an option to buy.{{cite web |publisher=FC Augsburg |date=18 January 2023 |url=https://www.fcaugsburg.de/en/article/kelvin-yeboah-joins-on-loan-from-genoa-17152 |title=Kelvin Yeboah joins on loan from Genoa}}
On 1 September 2023, Yeboah joined Ligue 1 side Montpellier on loan for the remainder of the season, with an option to buy.{{cite web|publisher=Montpellier|url=https://www.mhscfoot.com/articles/2023-2024/equipe-pro/kelvin-yeboah-rejoint-le-mhsc|title=Kelvin Yeboah rejoint le MHSC|trans-title=Kelvin Yeboah joins MHSC|date=1 September 2023|access-date=1 September 2023|language=fr}} On 1 February 2024, Yeboah moved on a new loan to Standard Liège in Belgium, with an option to buy.{{cite web|publisher=Standard Liège|url=https://standard.be/en/node/6401|title=KELVIN YEBOAH EST ROUCHE|trans-title=KELVIN YEBOAH IS ROUCHE|date=1 February 2024|access-date=2 February 2024|language=fr}}
On 27 July 2024, Yeboah joined Major League Soccer club Minnesota United on a three-and-a-half-year contract as a Designated Player with a club-side option of a further year.{{cite web|url=https://www.mnufc.com/news/official-loons-sign-kelvin-yeboah|title=Official: Loons Sign Kelvin Yeboah|website=www.mnufc.com|date=27 July 2024|accessdate=28 July 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Marthaler |first1=Jon |title=Loïc Mesanvi, Kelvin Yeboah give Minnesota United new hope |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-loic-mesanvi-kelvin-yeboah-leagues-cup-loons-injuries-seattle-sounders/600386789/ |access-date=28 July 2024 |work=Star Tribune |date=27 July 2024}}
International career
Born in Accra, Yeboah grew up in Italy and is eligible to represent both countries at the international level though he is yet to be capped.{{cite web|url=https://sportsworldghana.com/exclusive-talented-youngster-kelvin-yeboah-joins-sturm-graz/ |title=Exclusive: Talented youngster Kelvin Yeboah joins Sturm Graz |publisher=sportsworldghana.com |date=8 February 2021|accessdate=11 April 2021}}
On 20 January 2019, Yeboah was called up to the Ghana's under-20s.{{cite web|url=https://kickgh.com/national-teams/6493-tony-yeboah-s-son-kelvin-yeboah-earns-ghana-u20-call-up |title=Cup shame: WSG Tirol humiliates Wiener Austria |date=20 January 2019 |accessdate=25 September 2019 |publisher=Kick Gh}} On 13 August 2021, he was called up to the Ghana senior team ahead of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa.{{Cite web|title=CK Akonnor names 30-man squad for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers - MyJoyOnline.com|url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/ck-akonnor-names-30-man-squad-for-the-2022-world-cup-qualifiers/|access-date=1 September 2021|website=myjoyonline.com|date=13 August 2021 }} On 27 August, he was called up by Italy's under-21 side.{{Cite web|url=https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/parte-il-nuovo-biennio-ventisei-convocati-nel-gruppo-dieci-volti-nuovi-per-nicolato/|title = Parte il nuovo biennio: Ventisei convocati, nel gruppo dieci volti nuovi per Nicolato|date = 27 August 2021}} However he rejected the Ghanaian call-up and honoured the Italian under-21 call-up.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-31|title=World Cup qualifiers: Ghana FA confirm Kelvin Yeboah snub|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/world-cup-qualifiers-ghana-fa-confirm-kelvin-yeboah-snub|access-date=2021-09-01|website=GhanaSoccernet}} On 3 September 2021, he made his debut with the Italy U21 squad, playing as a substitute in the qualifying match won 3–0 against Luxembourg.{{Cite web|url=https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/under-21-esordio-con-vittoria-per-la-nuova-italia-nicolato-ho-visto-un-grande-impegno-ma-dobbiamo-lavorare/|title=Esordio con vittoria per la nuova Italia. Nicolato: "Ho visto un grande impegno, ma dobbiamo lavorare"|trans-title=Debut with victory for the new Italy. Nicolato: "I saw a great commitment, but we have to work"|date=3 September 2021|access-date=3 September 2021|website=figc.it|language=it}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 25 November 2024}}{{Soccerway|kelvin-yeboah/557050|accessdate=10 December 2018}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|WSG Tirol
|16 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 2 | |||
| 2019–20
|25 | 4 | 4 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 8 | |||
| 2020–21
|Austrian Bundesliga |15 | 4 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 4 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!56 | 10 | 7 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 63 | 14 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Sturm Graz
|Austrian Bundesliga |16 | 6 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 6 | |||
| 2021–22
|Austrian Bundesliga |18 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 28 | 14 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!34 | 17 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 45 | 20 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Genoa
|17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 0 | |||
| 2022–23
|11 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 1 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!28 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 1 | |
| FC Augsburg (loan)
|13 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 1 | ||||
| Montpellier (loan)
|13 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 1 | |||
| Standard Liège (loan)
|14 | 6 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 6 | ||||
| Minnesota United
|2024 |MLS |12 | 9 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 9 | ||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!170 | 44 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 193 | 52 |
;Notes
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
WSG Swarovski Tirol
- Austrian Second Division: 2018–19
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|id=kelvin-yeboah/557050}}
- {{WorldFootball.net|id=kelvin-yeboah}}
{{Minnesota United FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yeboah, Kelvin}}
Category:Footballers from Accra
Category:Italian men's footballers
Category:Italy men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Ghanaian men's footballers
Category:Ghanaian emigrants to Italy
Category:Naturalised citizens of Italy
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Austrian Football Bundesliga players
Category:Combined Counties Football League players
Category:2. Liga (Austria) players
Category:AC London F.C. players
Category:SK Sturm Graz players
Category:Montpellier HSC players
Category:Standard Liège players
Category:Minnesota United FC players
Category:Designated Players (MLS)
Category:Italian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Ghanaian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Italian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Austria
Category:Italian expatriate sportspeople in Austria
Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in Austria
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany
Category:Italian expatriate sportspeople in Germany
Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in Germany
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France
Category:Italian expatriate sportspeople in France
Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in France
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium
Category:Italian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
Category:Italian expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:21st-century Italian sportsmen