Prince Buaben

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Prince Buaben

| image = Prince-buaben.jpg

| image_size = 250

| caption =

| fullname = Prince Christian Buaben

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|4|23|df=y}}

| birth_place = Akosombo, Ghana

| height = {{convert|1.78|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

| youthyears1 = 2002–2004

| youthclubs1 = A.V.V. Zeeburgia

| youthyears2 = 2004–2007

| youthclubs2 = Ajax

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| position = Central Midfielder

| years1 = 2007–2011

| clubs1 = Dundee United

| caps1 = 115

| goals1 = 8

| years2 = 2011–2013

| clubs2 = Watford

| caps2 = 31

| goals2 = 1

| years3 = 2013–2014

| clubs3 = Carlisle United

| caps3 = 12

| goals3 = 1

| years4 = 2014

| clubs4 = → Partick Thistle (loan)

| caps4 = 11

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2014–2018

| clubs5 = Heart of Midlothian

| caps5 = 94

| goals5 = 7

| years6 = 2018

| clubs6 = Falkirk

| caps6 = 7

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2020

| clubs7 = Pandurii Târgu Jiu

| caps7 = 7

| goals7 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2008

| nationalteam1 = Ghana

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| pcupdate = 5 March 2021

| ntupdate = 00:55, 9 November 2015 (UTC)

}}

Prince Christian Buaben Abankwah (born 23 April 1988), known as Prince Buaben, is a Ghanaian professional footballer.[https://liga2.prosport.ro/seria-1/pandurii-a-achizitionat-11-jucatori-un-fost-component-al-lotului-din-perioada-in-care-echipa-activa-in-liga-1-s-a-alaturat-si-el-gorjenilor-19141672 Pandurii a achiziționat 11 jucători! Un fost component al lotului din perioada în care echipa activa în Liga 1 s-a alăturat și el gorjenilor]. liga2.prosport.ro {{in lang|ro}}

Buaben grew up in the Netherlands and was a youth player at AFC Ajax. He joined Dundee United in 2007 and won the Scottish Cup with them in 2010. He played in England from 2011, with Watford and later Carlisle United. He returned to Scotland in 2014, playing for Partick Thistle on loan prior to joining Hearts. Buaben helped Hearts win promotion in 2015, during his four years with the club. He signed for Falkirk in October 2018.

Buaben has made one appearance for the Ghana national team.

Career

Buaben was born in Akosombo, Ghana, but his mother took his family to the Netherlands when he was nine, as she thought that they would have a better life there. In the Netherlands where he lived for nine years, his big break came when he was playing for local side AVV Zeeburgia against Ajax in a friendly, which they lost 9–1, with Buaben notching his side's solitary strike. "After the game, Danny Blind told my uncle that they had been impressed with me, but nothing happened for a while. Eventually, Ajax called me and I went there for a two-week trial when I was 13."{{cite news | date=20 October 2007 | url=http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=11872 | title=Prince Set To Reign | publisher=Voice Online UK }} {{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

=Dundee United=

A player who grew up in the famous Ajax Amsterdam youth system mostly as a striker, the 19-year-old did enough to impress Dundee United manager Craig Levein. He did not have the necessary residential status in the Netherlands to obtain the required work visa when a full-time contract was offered to him by the Dutch giants. "In Holland, you cannot play professional football without a resident's permit, and I was not due to get mine until the following year. But, because I did not have a permit, I could not play professionally, and the club had no choice but to let me go," he recalls. He returned to his native Ghana and due to his family's UK status obtained a valid visa, which led to a recommendation to Dundee United manager Craig Levein.{{cite web| date=20 July 2007 | url=http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2635&cd=2007 | title=United sign Ghanaian Tralist | publisher=Dundee United FC | accessdate=20 July 2007}}

Buaben joined the club as a trialist at the start of pre-season training and has impressed the manager sufficiently to be awarded a full-time contract. On 20 July 2007, Dundee United signed the Ghanaian on a three-year contract, following a successful trial period at Tannadice Park. Levein told the club website: "He's a young player and although talented, will need time to develop and adapt. "I see him as one for the future but have high hopes that he may break into the first team earlier than expected."{{cite news | date=20 July 2007 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/6909418.stm | title=New Prince arrives at Tannadice | publisher=BBC Sport website}}

Buaben made his Dundee United debut in the friendly 2–2 draw against Raith Rovers at Starks Park{{cite web | date=22 July 2007 | url=http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2637&cd=2007&cd1=7 | title=Raith Rovers 2 Dundee United 2 | publisher=Dundee United FC| accessdate=22 July 2007}} on Sunday 22 July 2007. "The Prince" was an instant hit with the fan's, despite being lauded by Levein as "one for the future", Buaben quickly settled into the starting line-up of United after some outstanding performances especially his range of excellent passing, which got rave reviews in match reports{{cite news | date=6 October 2007 | url=http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2714&cd=2007&cd1=10 | title=DUNDEE UNITED 1–0 MOTHERWELL | publisher=Dundee United FC website}} The Times Online said "Two of Levein's cheap discoveries, Morgaro Gomis and Prince Buaben, were outstanding for United against Rangers...Both players have brought craft and imagination to the United midfield".{{cite news | date=29 October 2007 | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article2759688.ece | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604192015/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article2759688.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 June 2011 | title=Dundee United 2–1 Rangers | publisher=Timesonline UK website | location=London | first=Graham | last=Spiers | accessdate=22 May 2010}} Prince was part of the Dundee United team which won the Scottish Cup in their centenary season 2009/2010. In April 2011, Dundee United manager Peter Houston indicated that he expected Buaben to leave the club at the end of the season due to the Terrors being unable to match the players demands.{{cite news | date=29 April 2011 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13214101.stm | title=Conway, Buaben and Gomis to leave Dundee United | publisher=BBC Sport website}}

File:Prince Buaben.jpg

=Watford=

Buaben joined Football League Championship side Watford in July 2011, signing a two-year contract.{{Cite web|url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9140045.Watford_sign_Prince_Buaben/|title=Watford sign Prince Buaben|accessdate=14 July 2011|date=14 July 2011|first=Frank|last=Smith|work=Watford Observer}} Buaben struggled in pre-season with a lack of fitness, which halted his attempts to break into the first-team. He had to wait until mid October to make his league debut for Watford, coming on for Michael Kightly in the 20th minute against Leicester City. Buaben made his full league debut for Watford against Peterborough United on 29 October 2011. Watford won the game 3–2 with Buaben instrumental in all three goals. Buaben scored his first goal for Watford in a 1–1 draw against Cardiff City on Boxing day.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16240452|title=Watford 1–1 Cardiff|accessdate=30 April 2012|date=28 December 2011|work=BBC Sport}} On 7 June 2013, Watford announced that Buaben's contract would not be renewed and that he was due to be released as a free agent.{{cite web |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/130607-released-players-857432.aspx |title=OFFICIAL: Released Players Confirmed |accessdate=2013-06-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629092911/http://www.watfordfc.com//news/article/130607-released-players-857432.aspx |archivedate=29 June 2016 |df=dmy-all }}

=Carlisle=

He joined Carlisle United in October 2013 in a deal that would keep him at Brunton Park until the end of the 2013–2014 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24626038|title = Carlisle sign midfielder Buaben|work = BBC Sport}} He made twelve league appearances for the Cumbrians. After returning from his loan at Partick Thistle. On 6 May 2014, Carlisle announced that Buaben would be released at the end of his contract.{{cite web|title=BREAKING: Retained and released list|url=http://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/article/retainedreleasedmay2014-1537794.aspx|publisher=carlisleunited.co.uk|last=Hall|first=Andy|date=6 May 2014|accessdate=6 May 2014}}

==Partick Thistle (loan)==

Buaben joined Partick Thistle on loan in January 2014, until the end of the season.{{Cite web |url=http://ptfc.co.uk/news/2013-2014/january_2014/further_signing_completed |title=Further Signing Completed - Partick Thistle Football Club |access-date=31 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204042215/http://ptfc.co.uk/news/2013-2014/january_2014/further_signing_completed |archive-date=4 February 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} Buaben returned to England in the summer having made 11 appearances for the Jags, scoring no goals.

=Hearts=

Buaben signed a one-year contract with Heart of Midlothian in July 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28342620 |title=Prince Buaben signs one-year deal at Tynecastle, BBC Sport.|work=BBC Sport}} He scored his first Hearts' goal in a 2–1 derby win over Hibernian on 17 August 2014.{{cite web|url=http://spfl.co.uk/championship/fixture/3635848/|title=www.spfl.co.uk}} Buaben's second goal came against Queen of the South at Palmerston Park on 4 October 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29390079|title=www.bbc.co.ul/sport/football}} His third goal came on 18 October from the penalty spot at home against Dumbarton.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29580448|title = Heart of Midlothian 5-1 Dumbarton|work = BBC Sport}} Prince's fourth goal was a lovely controlled finish in to the bottom left corner of the net in front of the Gorgie Road end at Tynie in a 4–1 victory over Queens.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30257339|title = Hearts 4-1 Queen of the South|work = BBC Sport}} According to the Edinburgh Evening News on 9 December, Prince Buaben said he would like to stay at Hearts 'forever' and was in talks to sign a new long-term contract with the club.{{Cite web|url=http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/prince-buaben-let-me-stay-at-hearts-forever-1-3629182|title = Hearts | Edinburgh News}} Buaben went on to win the Scottish Championship{{cite web| url = http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl-lower-divisions/hearts-win-championship-in-quick-time-1-3725674| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526232811/http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl-lower-divisions/hearts-win-championship-in-quick-time-1-3725674| archive-date = 2015-05-26| title = Hearts win Championship in quick time - The Scotsman}} with Hearts but was frustrated to spend much of the later part of the 2014–15 season out injured.

Bauben was released by Hearts at the end of the 2017/18 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/prince-buaben-to-leave-hearts-at-end-of-season-1-4726488|title=Prince Buaben to leave Hearts at end of season}}

=Falkirk=

Buaben signed a short-term contract with Falkirk on 1 October 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45710660 |title=Prince Buaban: Falkirk sign former Hearts midfielder |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 October 2018 |accessdate=1 October 2018}}

=International career=

Buaben received his first call-up to The Black Stars of Ghana national squad in March 2008 for the friendly match against Mexico,{{cite web|url=http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2861&cd=2008|title=International call-ups for Buaben, Camara, McLean and Kenneth|publisher=Dundee United FC|date=19 March 2008}} although he remained an unused substitute during the match.{{NFT player|pid=26101}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club ! rowspan="2"\|Season ! colspan="3"\|League ! colspan="2"\|National Cup ! colspan="2"\|League Cup ! colspan="2"\|Other ! colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="5"\|Dundee United \|2007–08{{soccerbase season\|46707\|2007\|accessdate=9 January 2018}} \|rowspan="4"\|Scottish Premier League \|24	3	1	0	5	0	colspan="2"\|—	30	3
2008–09{{soccerbase season\|46707\|2008\|accessdate=9 January 2018}} \|22	1	2	1	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	25	2
2009–10{{soccerbase season\|46707\|2009\|accessdate=9 January 2018}} \|34	2	6	0	3	1	colspan="2"\|—	43	3
2010–11{{soccerbase season\|46707\|2010\|accessdate=9 January 2018}} \|35	2	5	1	2	0	2Appearances in the Europa League	0	44	4
colspan="2"\|Total !115	8	14	2	11	1	2	0	142	11
rowspan="3"\|Watford \|2011–12{{soccerbase season\|46707\|2011\|accessdate=9 January 2018}} \|rowspan="2"\|Championship \|30	1	1	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	32	1
2012–13{{soccerbase season\|46707\|2012\|accessdate=9 January 2018}} \|1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
colspan="2"\|Total !31	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	33	1
Carlisle United \|2013–14{{soccerbase season\|46707\|2013\|accessdate=9 January 2018}} \|League One \|12	1	3	0	0	0	1Appearance in the Football League Trophy	0	16	1
Partick Thistle (loan) \|2013–14 \|Scottish Premiership \|11	0	0	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	11	0
rowspan="5"\|Heart of Midlothian \|2014–15{{soccerbase season\|46707\|2014\|accessdate=9 January 2018}} \|Scottish Championship \|21	4	1	0	1	0	1Appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup	0	24	4
2015–16{{soccerbase season\|46707\|2015\|accessdate=9 January 2018}} \|rowspan="3"\|Scottish Premiership \|36	2	2	0	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	40	2
2016–17{{soccerbase season\|46707\|2016\|accessdate=9 January 2018}} \|20	1	1	0	1	0	4	1	26	2
2017–18{{soccerbase season\|46707\|2017\|accessdate=9 January 2018}} \|17	0	1	0	4	0	colspan="2"\|—	22	0
colspan="2"\|Total !95	7	4	0	8	0	5	1	112	8
colspan="3"\|Career total !264	17	23	2	20	1	8	1	315	21

Honours

;Dundee United

Scottish Cup: 2009–10{{cite web|last1=McGuigan|first1=Thomas|title=Dundee Utd 3 – 0 Ross County|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/8682861.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=15 July 2014|date=15 May 2010}}

;Hearts