Jerome Opoku reflects on early career challenges and growth through loan spells

Ghanaian defender Jerome Opoku has opened up on his development journey through England’s lower leagues and his rise in European football, describing his early career as a period that strengthened both his mentality and adaptability.

After recovering from a serious ACL injury in 2017, Opoku returned to action in September 2018 and quickly reestablished himself at Fulham, where he captained the club’s U-23 side before being loaned to Accrington Stanley. There, he made 21 appearances in League One, gaining his first taste of professional football outside London.

He later joined Plymouth Argyle, where he transitioned into a regular starter at centre-back, making 33 appearances in all competitions. Seeking to broaden his horizons, the defender then moved abroad to Velje Boldklub in Denmark, where he impressed with consistent performances across 29 games in the Danish SuperLiga.

Reflecting on that period, Opoku told RG, "It was a great experience. Coming from Fulham’s academy to somewhere like Accrington Stanley was a big change. It definitely made me appreciate the little things in football and understand that it’s not always going to be the same in every club; it toughened me up."

Opoku’s success in Denmark earned him a permanent move to Portuguese side Arouca, where he became a key figure in defence. His 29 appearances helped the modest club achieve a stunning fifth-place finish in Liga Portugal and qualify for Europe for only the second time in their history.

His journey through multiple countries and leagues laid the foundation for his eventual breakthrough at Istanbul BaÅŸakÅŸehir and with the Ghana national team, where he continues to make strides at both club and international level.

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