Ibrahim Abdul Rahim Ayew[needs Akan IPA] (born 16 April 1988), also known as Ibrahim Ayew or Rahim Ayew, is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Gibraltar Football League club Lincoln Red Imps.

Ibrahim Ayew
Personal information
Full name Ibrahim Abdul Rahim Ayew
Date of birth (1988-04-16) 16 April 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Tamale, Ghana
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Defensive Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Lincoln Red Imps
Number 5
Youth career
Adisadel College
Nania
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2008 Nania 77 (13)
2008–2009 Eleven Wise 30 (6)
2009–2010 Zamalek 11 (1)
2011–2013 Lierse 39 (0)
2013–2015 Asante Kotoko 11 (0)
2016–2021 Europa 83 (4)
2022–2023 Bruno's Magpies 18 (0)
2023– Lincoln Red Imps 30 (0)
International career
Ghana U-17
Ghana U-20
Ghana U-23
2009–2010 Ghana 7 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 9 November 2024

Club career

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Ayew began to play football at Adisadel College, and later started his professional career with his father's team F.C. Nania[1] and was in January 2009 transferred to Eleven Wise. He agreed to sign for German club TSG Hoffenheim, signing on a three-and-a-half-year contract,[2] but the deal never materialized. On 17 June 2009, after much speculation, then 21-year-old Ghanaian national player joined from Sekondi Wise Fighters to Egyptian giants El Zamalek FC, where he signed a five-year contract.[3] In January 2011, he signed a contract with Lierse S.K. in the Jupiler League in Belgium. He became a free agent in July 2013 after a two-season stint with Lierse and then for 5 months, he tried to look for a team to play. In December 2013, he returned to Ghana, signing with Asante Kotoko.[4] In 2016, Ayew moved to Gibraltar to sign with Premier Division side Europa. Used as a left-back in the side, he scored his first goal on 19 March 2017 against Europa Point. After 5 years at the club, Ayew left Europa in summer 2021. However, he returned to football a year later to sign for league rivals Bruno's Magpies, first appearing in their inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League squad to face Crusaders on 7 July 2022.[5]

International career

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Ayew has played for Ghana at the U-17, U-20,U-23 and the Senior Team levels.[6] He was also called up for the Friendly game from the Ghana national football team against Mali national football team[7] and plays the game alongside his younger brother André Ayew.[8] He played in the 2010 African cup of nations in Angola and placed 2nd in the tournament. He also featured in the CAF African Nations Cup Tournament (CHAN) and placed 2nd again in that tournament with Rahim voted twice as Man of the match in 2009. He was selected, together with his brother André Ayew as part of Ghana's 23-man team for the 2010 World Cup staged in South Africa.[citation needed]

Personal life

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Abdul Rahim comes from a family of footballers. He is the half brother of André, Jordan and Imani, having the same father, Ghana's renowned ex captain Abédi Pelé. Abedi and his first wife had Rahim, before Abedi married Maha, mother of Abedi's other children. Rahim is the nephew of Sola Ayew and Ghana's retired ex striker Kwame Ayew.[citation needed]

Honours

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Nania

  • E. K. Nayanar Memorial Football Gold Cup: 2007

Asante Kotoko

Europa

References

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