Ghana international Andre Ayew has described the opportunity to play for Qatari giants Al Sadd SC as an ‘important moment for him and his family.’
His father – the legendary Abedi Ayew Pele – played for the Doha-based club some 39 years ago. It was the stepping stone for the then 17-year-old’s journey to greatness from Ghana into European football. Abedi scored 7 goals in 8 appearances in the only season he played – the 1982/83 campaign before moving to Zurich.
Ayew has grown to age 31 and, in the reverse to that of his father, has headed to the gulf after 14 years in Europe as he prepares to wind down on his career.
After signing a two-year contract with an option to extend for a further season with the Wolves, Ayew has revealed that he did not hesitate to agree immediately to Al Sadd’s contract offer.
“I am very happy and proud to play at Al-Sadd.
“It’s an important moment for me and my family, because of what Al-Sadd provided to my family in the past, and therefore when the club offered me a contract, I agreed immediately and I am sure that we will win more championships together,” Andre Ayew told the club’s official website.
Touching on the role of his father, Abedi Pele, in him joining Al-Sadd, Ayew said: “Certainly, I heard from my father of the wonderful memories he had from his time with Al-Sadd in the past. He told me a lot about the club and Qatar, and he helped me make the right decision to play for Al-Sadd.”
Asked about his knowledge of Al-Sadd’s players, the Ghana captain said that he had played against many of the team’s players and knows them well.
“I know Baghdad Bounedjah, who I played against in Africa, as well as Akram Afif, Hassan Al Haydos and Saad Al Dosari, who I know from the Qatar national team.
“I knew Santi Cazorla too during his time in the Premier League. I hope to be of great support for them in the upcoming challenges.”
Working under former Spain and Barcelona great Xavi Hernandez at Al Sadd, Ayew said he expects to learn a lot:
“Xavi, the coach of the team, was a great player and played for a long time with the biggest and best club in the world – Barcelona, and he is now a coach for the best club in the Gulf after playing with the team for five years.
“I follow the Al Sadd team and watched the development that took place in the team’s performance in terms of entertaining football, the positioning of the players and the great tactics with which the team plays. I expect to learn a lot from him during my time with him.”
“My goal is to win titles, to make the fans happy, and to strive hard to win the AFC Champions League.” he added.
