Philippines giants Kaya FC-Iloilo have signed Ghanaian forward Patrick Asare, SportsworldGhana.com can confirm. The 26-year old joins the club on a one-year deal.
Asare began playing football at four years old. He actually started out as goalkeeper, until he eventually grew tired of losing and requested to play striker instead. As the story goes, he began scoring goals and never looked back.
Fast forward to 2014, the then 19-year-old wound up moving to Malaysia following a lucrative offer to join a prestigious club. Sadly, it turned out to all be a scam crafted by a fake agent. This was when Asare’s story altered course. He was left stranded in a foreign country with no club and without knowing a lick of Malay.
Fortunately, he was taken in by members of a local church. They helped him apply for a Student Visa and continue his education. His ill-fated move turned into a scholastic journey instead, culminating with him taking up Sports Management with a focus on Football Studies. He even earned the opportunity to finish his degree in the United Kingdom back in 2016.
That same year, Patrick impressed in a tryout for Myanmar outfit Zwegabin United FC. His playing career began anew, eventually moving to Yadanarbon FC then Shan United FC. His time with the latter allowed him to experience the AFC Champions League Qualifying Round first-hand, facing fellow Filipino club Ceres Negros no less. That day, he scored the equalizer with a beautiful long-ranged strike from outside the box, bringing the match to penalties.
In the midst of his tenure with these clubs, Asare never stopped his tuition. In the end, he decided to return to Malaysia and accept an offer to be sponsored to take his Masters in Psychology for Coaching. Despite having several doors open up for him on the management side of football, the 26-year old goal-scorer isn’t ready to hang up his boots just yet.
Patrick continued to train and play throughout his studies, but not at the level he felt he could play at. Now with his education complete, he wants to focus 100% on his one true passion—football. However, after graduating in 2020 and just as he was getting ready to get back to top flight competition, the worldwide pandemic halted football in its entirety.
His return to the pitch was delayed another year, though this may have been a blessing in disguise. The stage was set for Kaya FC to sign him, providing a boost to the squad’s attacking power. Now the Philippines, his third Southeast Asian destination, provides an opportunity to kickstart his career once again.
“I’m so excited to be back playing professionally, where I believe I belong. I’m so thankful to Kaya for the opportunity, and I can’t wait to show my ability, and to work to reach the best form of my career,” said Asare.
