AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth rising star Daniel Adu-Adjei has the ideal role model in his Uncle Tony – none other than former Leeds striker Tony Yeboah.
Although Adu-Adjei is not related to the Ghanaian legend, the youngster grew up in his company as his father William is one of Yeboah’s closest friends and used to live with him.
Adu-Adjei has hit the ground running in his first full season with Cherries under-18s and the exciting frontman currently tops the goal charts.
His 11th goal of a productive and encouraging debut campaign paved the way for Alan Connell’s team to book a place in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup.
Adu-Adjei’s predatory finish was added to by Noa Boutin’s thunderous drive as the Cherries deservedly triumphed 2-0 against QPR at Vitality Stadium earlier this month.
His adopted uncle was one of the most prolific goalscorers in Ghanaian and African football history and played for Leeds in the Premier League between 1995 and 1997, bagging some spectacular goals in England’s top flight.
Player of the year in his second season at Elland Road, Yeboah became the first man to win consecutive goal-of-the-month awards for stunning efforts against Liverpool and Wimbledon in 1995/96.
Adu-Adjei (pictured above with his older brother Craig-Elliott and Tony Yeboah) told afcb.co.uk: “He was my dad’s best friend. They grew up together and lived in the same house when they were younger.
“They played football together for local teams when they were growing up in Ghana and Tony was obviously the better one.
“He progressed further and played in the Premier League for Leeds and the Bundesliga for Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburger. He had a great career.
“I speak to him quite often because he’s probably the closest thing I have to a footballing idol so it’s good to take advice from him.
“The way he scored goals and everything, I just want to try to mimic that in the way I play and try to be as good a goalscorer as I can.”
Adu-Adjei spent four years with Brentford between the ages of seven and 11 before moving to Fulham after the Bees had restructured their youth set-up.
Raised in Wembley after the family had moved from Ghana, Adu-Adjei was brought in by Josh Dorlikar, Cherries’ academy head of recruitment, following his release by the Cottagers.
The 16-year-old, one of seven first-year scholars to start against QPR, added: “I know there is still a long way to go and this is just the start for me.
“The first six months have gone really quickly so I’m just looking forward to the rest of my first year and my second year as well.
“This is a family club with a really good environment. I like all the players and coaches.
“Alan was a striker as well so that really helps me. He can direct me in the right way and I can take advice from him. I can trust him knowing he played the same position as me.”
Adu-Adjei’s opening goal against QPR was timed at 100 seconds and was added to by Noa Boutin’s stunning strike in the second half to earn the Cherries a home tie in the fifth round against Leicester City which takes place at Vitality Stadium on Friday (7pm kick-off).
“I was pleased with my goal,” said Adu-Adjei. “It was good work from the whole team and a really good cross from Finn Tonks. It’s something we work on a lot in training, that low cross and it worked in the game.
“It’s good to progress in the FA Youth Cup. It was something we set out to achieve at the start of the season so it’s good to have got this far. But we want to carry on and go as far as we can.
“I’m pleased with how the season has gone for me personally but there’s more I can bring to the team and I want to kick on and show what I can do.”
Click here for ticket information for AFC Bournemouth's FA Youth Cup fifth-round clash with Leicester City at Vitality Stadium on Friday 28th January.
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