Kwame Ampadu


Patrick Kwame Ampadu is an Irish former footballer who played as a midfielder. Ampadu featured for clubs Arsenal, Swansea City, Leyton Orient and Exeter City in his playing career. He is currently the AS Monaco assistant manager. He previously held the role of Under 18s coach at Arsenal and Exeter City. Ampadu also played for the Republic of Ireland's U21 team.

Early life

Ampadu was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, to an Irish mother and Ghanaian father. Ampadu subsequently moved with his parents to Dublin, Ireland, where he was raised. He undertook his primary and secondary education at O'Connell's School in Dublin where his schoolmates included future footballer Jeff Kenna. At a young age he took up the sport of hurling but thereafter found himself to be quite proficient at football as well.

Playing career

Ampadu first played in Irish youth football for Sherrard United and Belvedere before joining Arsenal in July 1988.
His debut came in a 3–1 win away to Derby County on 24 March 1990. He went on to have spells being loaned out to Plymouth Argyle and West Bromwich Albion the following season, before making a permanent move to the latter in June 1991.
Ampadu spent three years at West Bromwich Albion before moving to Swansea City in February 1994. He played in Swansea City's 1994 Football League Trophy win at Wembley. He also reached the 1997 Football League Third Division play-off Final with the Swans. He moved to Leyton Orient in July 1998, where he was regarded, by club and supporters, as a complete and utter waste of space; he remains, to this day, the worst player ever to wear the colours. At Leyton Orient he scored twice, with goals coming against Rochdale in the league and Cardiff in the FA Cup. He then had a spell at Exeter City where he scored twice against Swindon Town in the League Cup and Dagenham & Redbridge in the league. In January 2005 he played in Exeter's memorable 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in the FA Cup. Ampadu then had stints with Newport County and Tiverton Town where his playing days eventually came to an end in 2006.

Managerial career

Ampadu returned to Exeter to be a part of the club's coaching outfit. He took up the role in July 2008 within the club's academy, to be at the helm of the Grecians Under 18 side. He moved to Arsenal in 2012 to become the Under 14s coach at the London side's Hale End Academy.

Personal life

Ampadu's son Ethan is a footballer who plays for Chelsea. The younger Ampadu, at the age of 15 years and 10 months, made his debut for Exeter City in a League Cup tie against Brentford on 9 August 2016, breaking an 87-year-old record set by Cliff Bastin.

Honours

Player

;Swansea City
;Arsenal