Benicio Baker-Boaitey
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-01-09) 9 January 2004 (age 20)
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 Brighton & Hove Albion
Number 47
Youth career
0000–2020 West Ham
2020–2022 Porto
2022– Brighton & Hove Albion
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– Brighton & Hove Albion 2 (0)
International career
2019 England U16 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 December 2023 (UTC)

Benicio Baker-Boaitey (born 9 January 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays for the academy of Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion. He previously had spells in the youth academies of West Ham United and FC Porto. He is an England youth international.[1]

Career

Having come through the youth academy of West Ham United, Baker-Boaitey was only 16 when he rejected a professional contract with them to join FC Porto in 2020.[2] He also had the opportunity to join Bundesliga sides Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach, but opted for the Primeira Liga side.[3][4][5]

He signed for the academy of Brighton & Hove Albion on transfer deadline day in January 2022, initially on a six-month loan deal.[6][7] The move became permanent in June 2022.[8] He featured ten times for Brighton U21 in Premier League 2 during the 2022-23 season and in July 2023, he signed a new one-year contract with the club.[9]

On 12 November 2023, he was named among the match day squad in the Premier League as Brighton played at home against Sheffield United.[10] Three weeks later on 3 December, Baker-Boaitey made his senior and professional debut with the Albion, coming on as a late substitution in a 3-2 loss to Chelsea.[11]

Style of play

He has been described as a left-footed wide player, with comparisons made in his style of play to Juventus player Douglas Costa.[12]

Personal life

From London, he has Ghanaian heritage.[13][14]

References

  1. ^ "B.Baker-Boaitey". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  2. ^ Thomas, Roshane. "West Ham are famed as the academy of football, so why are so many youngsters leaving?". The Athletic. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  3. ^ Nana Yaw Kwafo, Eric (2 September 2020). "Teenager Benicio Baker-Boaitey Joins FC Porto On A Free Transfer". Modrrnghana. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  4. ^ "Ghanaian youngster Benicio Baker-Boaitey confirms talk with Borrusia Monchengladbach". Ghanaweb. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  5. ^ Heywood Okine, Sammy (4 September 2020). "Ghanaian Teen Benicio Baker-Boaitey Swerves Bayern Munich To Join FC Porto". Modernghana. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  6. ^ Mills, Richard (31 January 2022). "Brighton sign former West Ham youngster and Bayern Munich target on loan from Porto". Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Graham Potter lays out plan for Benicio Baker-Boaitey after surprise swoop for ex-West Ham and Porto attacker". Sissex Express. 5 February 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  8. ^ Harris, Richard (20 June 2022). "Brighton sign former West Ham youngster and FC Porto talent on permanent deal". Sussex Live. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  9. ^ "Benicio Baker-Boaitey extends contract with Brighton". Ghanaweb. 2 July 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  10. ^ "BRIGHTON VS. SHEFF UTD". Soccerway. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  11. ^ "Match report: Chelsea 3 Brighton 2". Chelseafc.com. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  12. ^ "Benicio Baker-Boaitey: West Ham winger set for Bayern Munich talks". Sky Sports. 12 July 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  13. ^ "English-Ghanaian youngster Benicio Baker-Boaitey extends contract with Brighton". Footballghana. 2 July 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  14. ^ "Ghanaian youngster Benicio Baker-Boaitey extends Brighton contract". Ghanasoccernet. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
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