The stadium courier for the game against Hoffenheim
Kelvin Yeboah moved from Italian club CFC Genoa to FC Augsburg during the winter break. With his speed and dynamic style of play, he has already impressed many FCA fans in his first five games. In the Stadionkurier before the game against TSG Hoffenheim, the 22-year-old talks about the reasons for his move to the Bundesliga.
Kelvin, if you look at your CV, you can see that you’ve been around a lot at such a young age. You were born in Ghana, have Italian citizenship, played for West Ham United in your youth and your most successful period to date was with Sturm Graz in Austria.
That’s right, I was born in Accra in Ghana and when I was five years old we moved to Italy. My first club there was AC Monza, from there it went to Novarra Calcio, then to West Ham United and then back to Italy to AC Gossano. My first professional position was at the age of 18 with WSG Tirol in the 2nd Bundesliga in Austria. We then went straight up to the Bundesliga with the club and after two seasons SK Sturm Graz signed me.
There you scored 17 goals in 34 games, that’s quite a number.
Yes, things went really well for me in Graz, somehow everything worked out there. In Christian Ilzer I had a great coach who also encouraged me a lot.
Your qualities did not remain hidden for long, because just one season later you switched to Italian Serie A to FC Genoa. How was the time in Genoa?
Of course it was great for me to switch to Serie A. I made 18 appearances there in my first season. I learned a lot there and took it with me, even though we were unfortunately relegated.
You moved to Germany during the winter break. What was the reason that you moved across the Alps?
My uncle Anthony played in Germany for a long time and the Bundesliga was a dream for me even as a little boy. Things didn’t go so well for me in Serie B, it’s a very tough league, long balls, fighting, little technique. When the offer came, I didn’t have to think long, I knew I had to go there.
You’ve had a great start at FCA so far, every time you’re substituted on you’re on red alert. You are an incredibly dynamic player, you always bring real momentum into the game and your speed often provides relief.
I live from my dynamism and my speed. In the first game in Dortmund, my first action hit the post. Even if the ball didn’t go in, that of course gives you a real boost. I’m not dissatisfied with the way things have gone so far.
A strong home game against Bayer Leverkusen was followed by a 3-1 defeat in Mainz. how did you watch the game
Unfortunately we couldn’t repeat the last home game. Personally, I’ve already ticked off the game in Mainz and I’m focused on the next home game. We have to find our old strength again.
In the game against Hoffenheim it is important to score again. FCA is a real Friday specialist. Do you like floodlight games or do you prefer Saturday, 3.30 p.m.?
I don’t care, I’m always ready to play, no matter what day of the week.
Hoffenheim has had a difficult season so far and now comes with Pellegrino Matarazzo as their new coach.
TSG Hoffenheim has so far played below their potential. They have a very strong squad, but so does Leverkusen. We have to focus on our strengths and force our game on the opponent.
your tip?
I have to disappoint you there, I never type. But the only thing that counts are three points for us.
All stadium visitors can purchase the new edition of the stadium courier for the home game against TSG Hoffenheim for EUR 1.00. All members receive the stadium courier in the WWK ARENA free of charge – and can also read the new issue digitally.
Stadium Courier Issue 11 // Season 2022/2023
- Yeboah: “I was incredibly proud to put on the jersey of Squadra Azzura for the first time”
- Our opponents: TSG Hoffenheim and Thomas Delaney
- What does Uwe Möhrle actually do?
