Daniel Amartey, the Black Stars defender, has received praise from former Ghanaian defender Sam Johnson for his move to Turkish club Besiktas.
After his contract with Leicester City expired, Amartey signed a three-year deal with the Black and Whites in Turkey. Reacting to this transfer, Johnson, who himself played for Fenerbahce, lauded Amartey’s decision to switch from the Premiership to the Turkish league.
According to Johnson, in today’s footballing landscape, what matters most in a player’s career is financial security rather than the reputation or the league they play in.
He emphasized that if a Ghanaian player could secure a well-paying contract in a less prominent league, it would be a wise move. Johnson believes that having sufficient financial resources after retirement is crucial, as it garners respect and ensures a player’s well-being beyond their playing days.
In conclusion, Johnson commended Amartey’s choice to join Besiktas in Turkey, emphasizing that he supports any decision that guarantees a footballer’s financial stability and future.
“It’s a good decision he took to go to Turkey, and I don’t care whichever league a Ghanaian will sign for, because at the end of the day if he ends his career without money nobody will respect him,” he told Graphic Sports.
The priority, in his view, lies in securing a financially sound future rather than being solely focused on the name or prestige of the league they compete in.