Raphael Dwamena


Raphael Dwamena is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Spanish club Real Zaragoza on loan from Levante UD and the Ghana national team.

Playing career

Early years

Born in Nkawkaw, Dwamena played and trained with the Red Bull Ghana developmental program. At the International Tournament in Croix, France, in 2013, Dwamena helped the RB Ghana U17 team to a silver medal performance, and was named the tournament's Best Player. Before returning to Ghana, Dwamena and his teammate, David Atanga, first traveled to Austria for a one-week trial with FC Red Bull Salzburg.
Dwamena joined the Salzburg youth team in January 2014, and immediately made an impact on the U18 squad. In one tournament in June, he racked up seven goals in four games. Although Salzburg finished in third, he won the Golden Shoe.

FC Liefering

In July 2014, Dwamena was promoted to FC Liefering, the Salzburg farm team playing in the Austrian Football First League. He made his professional debut on 18 July, where in the 82nd minute of a 3–0 win over Hartberg, Dwamena was substituted in for Nikola Dovedan. He was one of six Liefering players making their professional debuts that day. He played in one more game that season.
During the 2015–16 season, Dwamena made his first start for Liefering on 21 August against Wiener Neustadt. He played the 90 minutes in place of Smail Prevljak. On 18 September, in his fifth straight start, Dwamena scored his first professional goal. He scored in a 4–1 win over Austria Klagenfurt.

Austria Lustenau

Dwamena enjoyed a successful half-season with Austria Lustenau, scoring 18 goals in 20 games, before his transfer to FC Zürich.

FC Zürich

Raphael Dwamena completed a transfer to FC Zürich on 27 January 2017. He made an immediate impact at his new club by scoring 12 goals in 18 matches, helping Zürich to win the 2016–17 Swiss Challenge League and gain promotion to the Swiss Super League.
On his Swiss Super League debut, Dwamena scored two goals against Grasshoppers.
On 21 August 2017, Zürich agreed a fee with Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion for the transfer of Dwamena. He was set to join Brighton subject to passing a medical, obtaining a work permit and international clearance, however the deal fell through after Dwamena failed his medical due to a heart condition. He instead, remained an FC Zürich player.

Levante

On 7 August 2018, Dwamena signed a four-year contract with La Liga side Levante UD. The following 16 July, he was loaned out to Segunda División club Real Zaragoza for one year.

International career

Dwamena didn't get the chance to play for the youth national teams of his country Ghana. Raphael Dwamena was called into the senior team as part of the 30-man squad for the 2017 African Cup of Nations but was dropped from the 23-man squad.
Raphael Dwamena made his international debut on the 11 June 2017 in an African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia, where he scored a brace to mark the new era of youngsters being introduced into the national team.

Career statistics

Club

International Games

International goals

NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.11 June 2017Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, Ghana4–05–02019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2.11 June 2017Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, Ghana5–05–02019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Honours

Club

;Liefering
;FC Zurich