Footballer’s Lives: I’m a Ghanaian in the Faroes Islands

In the modern footballing world, players can travel far-and-wide in search of employment and in particular, those from Africa and South America tend to wander the farthest.

This globe-trotting can be glamorous and we imagine footballers to all be multi-millionaires living jet-set lifestyles.

But, for many it is a far cry from this image and this culture of travelling far in search of a better life throws up some interesting tales.

One country that seemingly supplies a never-ending conveyor belt of footballing talent to the world game is Ghana.

Wherever you look around the globe there are Ghanaian players honing their skills and recently I spoke to one of them – David Asare, a 19-year-old attacking-midfielder currently plying his trade in the Faroe Islands‘ top-flight.

Travelling via a brief stint in Denmark, Asare has reached the tiny island nation in search of first-team football in Europe.

It is from this humble starting point that the attacking midfielder hopes to launch a career that will take him to the top of the world game.

“I started with my youth club Adenta FC and then moved to Adumase in the Ghanaian second division,” the young attacking midfielder tells me, in a polite unassuming manner.

“I was 18 and spotted by a representative of an agent from Denmark. He recommended I go there, so I ended up in the youth team of AaB.”

“I went to Denmark in August 2010, after the end of the season in Ghana, and I was only there for nine months before I came here [to the Faroe Islands]. An offer came to join FC Suduroy and I took it. I was with the Under-19 side in Denmark and Suduroy offered me the chance of first-team football. My agent sorted it and here I am.”

And so, the lively attacking midfielder came to arrive in the wind-swept North Atlantic island cluster. A far cry from the environment of his home city of Accra.

It would be an intimidating environment for anyone to arrive alone at such an early age, but Asare believes that it was an easy decision to make in order to continue his football career.

“I had no feelings towards the Faroe Islands when I arrived, because I just came here to play football and show my talents. I didn’t even consider what the place was like, I only care for football. My first season here went very well. I played 25 out of the 27 games and scored 20 goals so it was a great period for me and the team.”

“I am not fluent in the language yet. I can understand a bit and I can speak a few words, but I am not fluent at all. My team-mates speak English, so we can easily communicate. They have been very supportive of me on and off the pitch.”

It is not only his team-mates that have taken David to their hearts though and the player has quickly become part of the community in small-town Vagur. In fact, one family in particular have taken the Ghanaian into their lives.

“I am the only Ghanaian here. Last year there was another in the islands, but he has gone now. I live by myself, but I would say I have a nice family here. They see me and treat me as one of their sons, so even though I am far away from home, I have a home.

“I spend most of my time with the family here. They take great care of me, as if I am their child. They live about five minutes drive from me and after practice I will either walk to their place or they will pick me up in their car and we will have dinner together, or lunch, together.”

“When I finish training I am either here with the Kjærbæk family or I am back at my place. I just watch football, listen to music, or play FIFA. Suduroy is just a small place, so it is like this. ”

There is a certain loneliness to the lifestyle he has pursued, but there is a great warmth from the player when talking about his adopted family.

Despite the hardships though, Asare believes that the experience in the Faroe Islands has been worthwhile in his development and would have no hesitations in advising a compatriot to follow his route.

“I think I made the right decision to come here and show what talent I have. Now I just need to keep working hard and show myself to the world. I don’t care about starting from a lower place, it is just dependent on me. I have a club and I get playing time, now I must just show what talents God has given me. That is the most important thing.

“No-one from Ghana has come to visit me here yet, but I get to go home each year at the end of the season, so it is ok. I would encourage any Ghanaian to come here and play, they just need to do their best and they will enjoy life in the Faroe Islands. I would definitely encourage it.”

The free-scoring attacking midfielder did not come to the North Atlantic to stay though and he is fully aware that his time here may be coming to an end.

Asare’s goal-scoring form of last season did not go unnoticed and there has been interest from clubs in other European countries.

First though, the player’s mind is focused on helping FC Suduroy avoid relegation this campaign.

“This year, I need to help my team stay in the top flight. That is my first objective. I would like to move to one of the biggest leagues in the world though. It is a dream for me and I am working hard each day to achieve that. All Ghanaians dream of playing for the national team also and this is no different for me.”

Before settling down to a night of watching the latest round of Champions League action, Asare has one last plea before ending the interview.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Kjærbæk family. They have taken me as their child and it is a great honour for me to say thank you to them and everybody in the city of Vagur here for what they have done for me.”

Source: Christopher Atkins