Friday, March 29, 2024

Where Are They Now: Quincy Owusu-Abeyie

Ghanaian international Quincy Owusu-Abeyei joined Arsenal in 2003, previously coming through Ajax’s famous youth system where he had been for 10 years. A speedy left winger, with good vision and excellent technical ability, it seemed as though Wenger had done it again, unearthing another gem.

In his first season with the club, playing with the youth side he scored 17 goals in 20 appearances, and netted 6 of the goals when Arsenal beat Wolves 7-1. Subsequently he was handed a professional contract on his 18th birthday and things were looking promising for the youngster. His first-team debut came against Rotherham in a League Cup tie, which Arsenal won on penalties, significantly this was the first penalty shootout at Highbury that Arsenal were involved in.

Quincy found it difficult to get into the first-team though and over the next two seasons he played in the League and FA Cup fixtures but could never really find any consistency. In 2006, after Arsenal signed Walcott and Adebayor, Quincy decided to move on, feeling he wouldn’t get a chance in the first-team with the wide array of attacking options the Gunners possessed.

He moved to Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee in 2006, after notching up 23 appearances (5 in the league) with the Gunners. He struggled to adapt to life in Russia though and after a season, where he played 27 times, scoring only one goal Quincy went on a loan move to Celta Vigo. It was a familiar story for Quincy though, playing 21 times, scoring just 4 goals and again couldn’t find his form.

A return to English football was his next step, and in a two year spell, he played for 3 different clubs on loan. Firstly with Birmingham, then Cardiff before finally joining Portsmouth for the 09/10 campaign. In this time, he showed flashes of brilliance but could never sustain a regular starting position.

After the Portsmouth loan finished his deal with Spartak ended and he linked up with Qatari side Al-Saad. He played out the remainder of the season with them, but was soon on the move again and signed four La Liga side Malaga on loan. Making 26 appearances in total it was one of Quincy’s best spells at a club and he made a good impact getting on the scoresheet three times and assisting many goals as well.

Quincy’s next move saw him join Greek side Panathinaikos. In two years there he was a regular starter, notching up 43 league appearances, scoring 5 times. For whatever reason Quincy left though, 2 years into his 4 year contract and took some time out to assess his options. A few days ago he joined Portuguese side Boavista, but is yet to make an appearance.

The Journeyman winger has had a rather strange career, and at 28 will be looking to try and finally capture some true form. He has played 18 times for his adopted country Ghana, but in club football he has unfortunately failed to show the such brilliant potential he had in the Ajax and Arsenal youth sides.

Explore more