For Kwadwo Baah, the 2024/25 season marked a major turning point. It was the kind of campaign that a young footballer dreams about—full of defining moments, personal growth, and the thrill of hearing your name sung by thousands. But it was also a season touched by frustration, with injury cutting short what felt like a breakthrough in full flow.
“It has been the best season so far in my career, in terms of output,” Baah reflected. “When I came in for pre-season, I didn’t really have a place in the team.” That changed rapidly as his performances earned him a regular spot and the love of the Watford faithful. The chant—“Baah will tear you apart”—to the tune of Joy Division’s hit, became a terrace anthem. “This is the first time that my name has been sung around a stadium; I’ve not had a chant. It’s a great feeling, it’s every kid’s dream.”
Born in Stuttgart, Germany, to Ghanaian parents, Baah’s journey has been anything but linear. After a brief stay in Germany and some time in Ghana, he grew up in South Norwood, London. His football foundation was laid at local clubs like Moonshot and Lambeth Tigers, before earning a place at Crystal Palace’s academy. But before he became known for his electric runs on the wing, Baah was a sprinter. “I did athletics—100 metres and 200 metres. I was quick and I enjoyed it, but I wanted to be a footballer.”
That raw pace has become his trademark. “For me my explosiveness comes from being static, and straight away going at 100 miles per hour,” he said. But this explosive power also contributed to muscle injuries. “I put on a bit of muscle… I wouldn’t say I was breaking down but maybe I felt a little bit too explosive. We kind of know the reason why I have been having these muscle injuries. Hopefully next season will be the season I don’t get injured.”
Despite the setbacks, there were moments to savour—none more memorable than his winning goal against Middlesbrough. “That’s my favourite goal so far. I had missed an opportunity in the previous game against Preston, so I felt like I was redeeming myself with that.” And who could forget his disallowed goal against Manchester City in the League Cup? “There was obviously disappointment… Maybe it should have stood!”
Injured or not, Baah keeps to a routine. “I come into the training ground with the team, I do activation… I’m trying to build my quads stronger, my hamstrings, everything. Then it’s physio before home time for me. It’s as normal as it was when I was fully fit.”
Off the pitch, Baah is a gamer and anime enthusiast. “I play Call of Duty, FIFA. Sometimes I’ll go out for a walk just to get my legs running. Most of the time I just like to relax.” Anime is a big part of his downtime. “I watch Hunter x Hunter, Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, Black Clover, Parasyte… The storylines are sometimes better than actual TV shows.” He often chats about anime with teammate Kévin Keben.
Baah is eligible to play internationally for England, Germany, or Ghana—a decision he hasn’t made yet. “I hope that I could one day get that recognition… Hopefully the time will soon come when I have to decide.”
His rise in popularity is obvious. “Sometimes when I go to Sainsbury’s I get stopped quite a bit! That is obviously nice… although sometimes I do just want to go about my day.” Whether facing fierce opposition or fans heckling him on the road, Baah embraces the challenge. “I kind of like that… It gives me the energy boost that I need to try and shut them up and show them what I can do!”
For now, all signs point to a player on the cusp of something special. With his speed, humility, and passion, Kwadwo Baah isn’t just tearing defenders apart—he’s tearing through expectations and carving a path all his own.
