SJK is pleased to announce that Kingsley Ofori will be a permanent member of the team going forward. Following negotiations with EurAfrica Academy, SJK exercised the purchase option in Ofori’s loan agreement and signed him to a long-term player contract.
Ofori, who played on loan with SJK from EurAfrica Academy in 2020, made his Veikkausliigadebut in April 2022 during a home game against HJK. Throughout the season, the 20-year-old winger played in a total of 17 Veikkausliiga matches, contributing one pass that led to a goal. He also played eight matches with SJK Academy in the First Division and scored four goals there. Ofori also earned playing time with SJK in UEFA Europa Conference League games and cups.
“It feels really great and great to continue here with SJK,” says Ofori. “It is every academy player’s dream to be able to play in the national team, so the last season and the continuation here is a special thing for me. Last season, playing on the Eurocourts was also a nice experience, so next season my goal is to help the team to the Eurocourts again.”
SJK’s head coach, Joaquín Gómez, is pleased with Ofori’s continuation with the team. “We are very happy that we were able to secure Kingsley permanently,” says Gómez. “He has been a perfect example of what we want to achieve here with young talents. He always shows a great desire to learn and become a better professional player. And with us, he has grown from a Kakkonen player to a Veikkausliiga player who has already been able to play on Euro courts as well, meaning he has gone through all the steps on the player’s path. We are excited to help him reach his full potential, learn to use his speed, technical abilities, and adaptability to several different roles for the benefit of the team. All these are things that will surely refine him into the leading top player for us.”
Kingsley Ofori, born on May 1, 2002, in Drobo, Ghana, is a versatile winger who can play in defense or attack. He has been playing in Seinäjoki since the 2020 season on a loan contract, rising from SJK Academy to SJK’s representative team. In the 2021 season, he was the team’s top scorer with 20 goals in 33 games. Ofori has also played in the Italian junior leagues in US Cremonese before his time at SJK.