BY Nadia Ntiamoah
Antoine Semenyo’s remarkable ascent in English football reached a historic peak on Friday after Manchester City completed a club-record £65 million deal to sign the Ghana international from AFC Bournemouth, smashing the Cherries’ transfer record and setting a new benchmark for Ghanaian footballers in the global market.
The Premier League champions moved decisively in the January transfer window to activate Semenyo’s release clause, securing the services of the powerful forward on a five-and-a-half-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2031.
The deal represents not only Bournemouth’s biggest sale in their history but also the most expensive transfer involving a Ghanaian player.
Semenyo officially completed the move after successfully undergoing his mandatory medical on Thursday morning, just 24 hours after making what turned out to be his final appearance for Bournemouth in their Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur.
He put pen to paper on Friday morning, sealing a transfer that had been gathering momentum for weeks amid strong interest from Manchester City.
Confirming the departure, AFC Bournemouth released a brief but emotional statement acknowledging the scale of the move and the player’s contribution to the club.
“We can confirm that Antoine Semenyo has joined Manchester City for a club-record fee. Everyone at AFC Bournemouth wishes you nothing but the best, Ant,” the club said.
The transfer caps a meteoric rise for the 25-year-old forward, who joined Bournemouth in January 2023 and rapidly evolved into one of the Premier League’s most feared attacking threats.
His blend of pace, power and directness made him a central figure in Bournemouth’s attacking play and a constant nightmare for defenders across England’s top flight.
Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Semenyo’s journey to the elite level was built on patience and persistence. He began his professional career at Bristol City, where he spent several seasons developing his game.
Loan spells at Bath City, Newport County and Sunderland proved crucial in sharpening his attacking instincts and physical presence, laying the foundation for his eventual breakthrough.
His consistent performances at Ashton Gate caught the attention of Bournemouth, who moved swiftly to secure his signature midway through the 2022/23 season.
From that point, Semenyo’s career trajectory accelerated dramatically, as he quickly adapted to the Premier League and established himself as a key player.
During the current season, Semenyo emerged as one of Bournemouth’s standout performers, scoring 10 Premier League goals and providing three assists.
His contributions were instrumental to the club’s campaign and further underlined his growing reputation as one of the league’s most effective forwards.
In total, Semenyo made 110 appearances for Bournemouth across all competitions, scoring 32 goals and registering 13 assists.
Those numbers reflect not just consistency but also his importance to the club during one of the most competitive periods in their Premier League history.
Manchester City’s interest was driven by their desire to reinforce their attacking options, with club officials openly acknowledging Semenyo as a priority target.
His arrival at the Etihad is viewed as a long-term investment and a player capable of making an immediate impact as City push for domestic and European success in the second half of the season.
Beyond the financial headlines, the transfer stands as a significant milestone for Ghanaian football.
Semenyo’s move to one of the world’s biggest clubs highlights the increasing influence and quality of Ghanaian players at the highest level of European football, reinforcing the Black Stars’ growing footprint on the global stage.
Semenyo Scores On Man City Debut In 10-Goal Rout Of Exeter
Antoine Semenyo scored on his Manchester City debut as the Ghana forward’s new side crushed Exeter 10-1 in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
Semenyo netted in the second half of City’s ruthless display at the Etihad Stadium and injury-plagued midfielder Rodri also scored for the first time since May 2024.
Semenyo joined City from Bournemouth in a £65 million (US$87 million) move on Friday and wasted no time making an impact with Pep Guardiola’s team.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham were amongst the other clubs interested in Semenyo, who had a buyout clause that would reportedly expire on Saturday.
Teenage defender Max Alleyne began the rout, prodding home from close-range for his first City goal in the 12th minute.
Rodri finally got back on the scoresheet in the 24th minute, lashing in from distance after Semenyo’s shot was blocked.
Own goals from Exeter duo Jake Doyle-Hayes and Jack Fitzwater in the 42nd minute and the 45th minute put the result beyond doubt.
But City kept pressing and Lewis volleyed in from Semenyo’s 49th minute.
Semenyo’s debut goal came five minutes later with a clinical finish.
Tijjani Reijnders curled in a seventh from the edge of the area in the 71st minute and Nico O’Reilly added the eighth with a fine header from a Lewis cross.
Ryan McAidoo, 17, hit the ninth from just outside the area in the 86th minute before George Birch blasted into the top corner to give Exeter at least one moment to savour.
City were not done and Lewis lashed home in stoppage-time to make it a perfect 10.
It was City’s biggest win since beating Huddersfield by the same scoreline in 1987.
They also defeated Burton by nine goals in a 9-0 victory in 2019.
Guardiola may not have been on the touchline as he served a one-match ban but it was clear from the team-sheet he meant business.
The City boss made six changes but still fielded a strong side including Erling Haaland.
He was rewarded with City’s first win in four games in all competitions after three successive Premier League draws left them trailing six points behind leaders Arsenal.
