Eric Addo
Encyclopedia
Eric Pappoe Addo is a Ghana
ian footballer. He is currently a free agent.
Once heralded as a potential African great thanks to his combination of strength, pace and poise early on, Addo, a combative central defender who can also play as a defensive midfielder, had his budding career blighted by knee injuries.
, Addo began his European career brightly at Club Brugge in 1996 and over three seasons at the Jan Breydelstadion made 65 appearances, scoring five goals. At Brugges, he was viewed as a potential superstar on the European stage, after bursting into the first team ranks and helping them to win the Belgian Championship. He was voted the 1997–98 Young Belgian Footballer of the Year
by Belgian journalists and Ghana Player of the Year the same season. He also won the Belgian Ebony Shoe Award
for being the best African player (or player with African roots) in the Belgian league. The jury was composed of the league clubs' coaches, the Belgian national team coach, sports journalists and an honorary jury.
Addo joined PSV Eindhoven during summer 1999 for fl.5.9m on a five-year contract, although he spent most of his first three years injured or as a substitute. He played just 24 times during this period, going out on loan at Roda JC for two years – before finally becoming a regular, as PSV retained their Eredivisie
title in 2006. "I'm hoping now to show at Roda what I can do," Addo told Dutch magazine Voetbal International. "When I moved to PSV there was a lot of pressure and obviously it got worst when I was injured. They paid a lot of money for me. I still need to show the supporters what I am capable of and the move to Roda is the solution for me."
His last game for PSV in the UEFA Champions League
was a 1–0 away loss at Anfield
against Liverpool F.C.
, in the 2006–07 quarterfinal second leg.(watch 1st half here, 2nd half here)PSV lost 4–0 on aggregate to the 2005 UEFA Champions League
winners, after losing 3–0 at home.
On April 29, 2007, Addo won his fifth Eredivisie
Championship with PSV in 2006–2007, with a 5–1, final day home victory against Vitesse Arnhem
. Pre-match, PSV, Ajax
and AZ Alkmaar were tied on 72 points. PSV coach Ronald Koeman
started Alex
and Addo at the heart of defence in the decider.
is getting close and if I have to stay I should be guaranteed more playing time to be fit for the tournament in Ghana
." He added, "The club understands my situation and they have agreed to allow me to leave at the end of the season."
On 22 April 2007, Addo was linked with a move to Galatasaray S.K.
in the Dutch media. He was also linked with FC Twente
, whose manager Fred Rutten knows Addo from his time at PSV. However, on 22 May 2007, Addo changed his mind and signed a new contract extension with PSV.
On 26 October 2007, Addo was charged with 'committing an act of gross unsporting conduct' and received a four match ban from UEFA
for spitting at Fenerbahçe player Semih Şentürk
during an ill-tempered Champions League match on October 23. PSV later claimed that he was provoked by the striker who elbowed him moments before the incident occurred; this explanation was rejected by the association.
, but instead opted to play for his homeland. However, after playing in the 1998 African Cup of Nations
, he spent six years in the international wilderness.
He was a member of the Ghanaian
squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
finals, playing in all four of Ghana's games including the exit to Brazil
in the second round. His last game for Ghana was against Mexico
in an international friendly in London
, England
on 26 March 2008.
PSV Eindhoven
Club Brugge
Individual Belgian Young Footballer of the Year
Winner: 1997–98 Belgian Ebony Shoe Award
Winner: 1998 Ghana Footballer of the Year Award Winner: 1998
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
ian footballer. He is currently a free agent.
Once heralded as a potential African great thanks to his combination of strength, pace and poise early on, Addo, a combative central defender who can also play as a defensive midfielder, had his budding career blighted by knee injuries.
Club career
Born in the Ghanaian capital AccraAccra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
, Addo began his European career brightly at Club Brugge in 1996 and over three seasons at the Jan Breydelstadion made 65 appearances, scoring five goals. At Brugges, he was viewed as a potential superstar on the European stage, after bursting into the first team ranks and helping them to win the Belgian Championship. He was voted the 1997–98 Young Belgian Footballer of the Year
Belgian professional football awards
The Belgian professional football awards is a collection of awards given at the end of each season since 1983. The first year, the only award was the Manager of the Year. There are now 5 awards: Footballer, Young Footballer, Goalkeeper, Manager and Referee. The voters are all the players from...
by Belgian journalists and Ghana Player of the Year the same season. He also won the Belgian Ebony Shoe Award
Belgian Ebony Shoe
The Belgian Ebony Shoe is a football award given annually to the best African player in the Belgian Pro League. The jury is composed of the coaches of Jupiler League clubs, the Belgian national team manager, sport journalists, and honorary juror...
for being the best African player (or player with African roots) in the Belgian league. The jury was composed of the league clubs' coaches, the Belgian national team coach, sports journalists and an honorary jury.
Addo joined PSV Eindhoven during summer 1999 for fl.5.9m on a five-year contract, although he spent most of his first three years injured or as a substitute. He played just 24 times during this period, going out on loan at Roda JC for two years – before finally becoming a regular, as PSV retained their Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
title in 2006. "I'm hoping now to show at Roda what I can do," Addo told Dutch magazine Voetbal International. "When I moved to PSV there was a lot of pressure and obviously it got worst when I was injured. They paid a lot of money for me. I still need to show the supporters what I am capable of and the move to Roda is the solution for me."
His last game for PSV in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League 2006-07
The 2006–07 UEFA Champions League was the 15th season of UEFA's premier European club football tournament, the UEFA Champions League, since it was rebranded from the European Cup, and the 52nd season overall. The final was contested by Milan and Liverpool on 23 May 2007...
was a 1–0 away loss at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
against Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, in the 2006–07 quarterfinal second leg.(watch 1st half here, 2nd half here)PSV lost 4–0 on aggregate to the 2005 UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League 2004-05
The 2004–05 UEFA Champions League was the 50th season of UEFA's premier European club football tournament, and the 13th since it was rebranded as the UEFA Champions League in 1992. The competition was won by Liverpool, who beat Milan on penalties in the final, having come back from 3–0 down...
winners, after losing 3–0 at home.
On April 29, 2007, Addo won his fifth Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
Championship with PSV in 2006–2007, with a 5–1, final day home victory against Vitesse Arnhem
Vitesse Arnhem
Stichting Betaald Voetbal Vitesse is a Dutch football club from Arnhem, which was founded on 14 May 1892. Vitesse has had considerable success in the Eredivisie, and featured in the UEFA Cup competition, but has never been considered a close competitor of the top three clubs of Netherlands...
. Pre-match, PSV, Ajax
Ajax Amsterdam
Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax , also referred to as AFC Ajax, Ajax Amsterdam or simply Ajax , is a professional football club from Amsterdam, Netherlands...
and AZ Alkmaar were tied on 72 points. PSV coach Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman is a former Dutch footballer, and the current manager of Feyenoord. He is the younger brother of former Feyenoord coach Erwin Koeman and the son of former Dutch international Martin Koeman...
started Alex
Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa
Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa, better known as Alex , is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Chelsea FC and the Brazil national team. His nickname is "Vinny" amongst fans for his close similarities to actor Vin Diesel....
and Addo at the heart of defence in the decider.
Contract extension
On 3 April 2007, Addo told BBC Sport that "I will not extend my contract with PSV because things are not improving here for me. The African Cup of Nations2008 African Cup of Nations
The 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as the MTN Africa Cup of Nations due to the competition's sponsorship by MTN, was the 26th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial football tournament for nations affiliated to the Confederation of African Football . The tournament was staged at...
is getting close and if I have to stay I should be guaranteed more playing time to be fit for the tournament in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
." He added, "The club understands my situation and they have agreed to allow me to leave at the end of the season."
Galatasaray S.K. (football team)
Galatasaray Anonim Şirketi is a Turkish football club, part of the Galatasaray S.K. multi-sport club of Istanbul. Galatasaray is a major sports club in Turkey, holding 17 Turkish Super League titles and the highest number of Turkish Cups....
in the Dutch media. He was also linked with FC Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
, whose manager Fred Rutten knows Addo from his time at PSV. However, on 22 May 2007, Addo changed his mind and signed a new contract extension with PSV.
On 26 October 2007, Addo was charged with 'committing an act of gross unsporting conduct' and received a four match ban from UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
for spitting at Fenerbahçe player Semih Şentürk
Semih Sentürk
Semih Şentürk is a Turkish footballer who currently plays for Turkish Süper Lig side Fenerbahçe as a striker, and also the Turkish national team.-Fenerbahçe:...
during an ill-tempered Champions League match on October 23. PSV later claimed that he was provoked by the striker who elbowed him moments before the incident occurred; this explanation was rejected by the association.
International career
Addo was given the chance to represent his adopted country, Belgium, in the 1998 FIFA World Cup1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
, but instead opted to play for his homeland. However, after playing in the 1998 African Cup of Nations
1998 African Cup of Nations
The 1998 African Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso was the 21st edition of the African Cup of Nations , the national football championship of Africa, administered by the Confederation of African Football . Just like in 1996, the field of sixteen teams was split into four groups of four...
, he spent six years in the international wilderness.
He was a member of the Ghanaian
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
finals, playing in all four of Ghana's games including the exit to Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
in the second round. His last game for Ghana was against Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
in an international friendly in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on 26 March 2008.
Major honors and awards
Club PSV Eindhoven
- EredivisieEredivisieThe Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
(Dutch League) Winner: 1999-00, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08 - KNVB bekerKNVB CupThe KNVB Cup is a competition in the Netherlands organized by the Royal Dutch Football Association since 1899. It was based on the format of the English FA Cup. Outside of the Netherlands, it is often referred to as the Dutch Cup...
(Dutch Cup) Winner: 2004–05 - Johan Cruijff schaalJohan Cruijff-schaalThe Johan Cruijff Schaal is a football trophy in the Netherlands named after legendary Dutch football player Johan Cruyff, also often referred to as the Dutch Super Cup. The winner is decided in one match only, played by the winner of the national football league and the winner of the national...
(Dutch Super Cup) Winner: 1999-00, 2000–01 - KNVB bekerKNVB CupThe KNVB Cup is a competition in the Netherlands organized by the Royal Dutch Football Association since 1899. It was based on the format of the English FA Cup. Outside of the Netherlands, it is often referred to as the Dutch Cup...
(Dutch Cup) Finalist medal: 2006 - Johan Cruijff schaalJohan Cruijff-schaalThe Johan Cruijff Schaal is a football trophy in the Netherlands named after legendary Dutch football player Johan Cruyff, also often referred to as the Dutch Super Cup. The winner is decided in one match only, played by the winner of the national football league and the winner of the national...
(Dutch Super Cup) Finalist medal: 2006, 2005
Club BruggeClub Brugge
Club Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging is a football club from Bruges in Belgium. It was founded in 1891 and is one of the top clubs in Belgium. Its home ground is the Jan Breydel Stadium, which has a capacity of 29,472....
- Belgian First Division Winner: 1997–98
- Belgian SupercupBelgian SupercupThe Belgian Supercup is a Belgian club competition played on a single match at the league champion venue since 2004 and formerly at the Stade Roi Baudouin, between the winner of the last Belgian Pro League and that of the last Belgian Cup. If both teams are the same, the opponent is declared to...
Winner: 1996, 1998
Individual Belgian Young Footballer of the Year
Belgian professional football awards
The Belgian professional football awards is a collection of awards given at the end of each season since 1983. The first year, the only award was the Manager of the Year. There are now 5 awards: Footballer, Young Footballer, Goalkeeper, Manager and Referee. The voters are all the players from...
Winner: 1997–98 Belgian Ebony Shoe Award
Belgian Ebony Shoe
The Belgian Ebony Shoe is a football award given annually to the best African player in the Belgian Pro League. The jury is composed of the coaches of Jupiler League clubs, the Belgian national team manager, sport journalists, and honorary juror...
Winner: 1998 Ghana Footballer of the Year Award Winner: 1998
Ghana
- Africa Cup of Nations Bronze Medal: 2008
- Africa Cup of Nations Silver Medal: 2010
- FIFA World CupFIFA World CupThe FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
last 16: 2006