Former Brighton & Hove Albion manager, Chris Hughton, has paid tribute to the late Ghanaian striker, Raphael Dwamena, who tragically passed away in Albania last Saturday.
Hughton, who currently manages the Black Stars, revealed that Brighton came close to signing Dwamena in 2017, and he was set to become the first Ghanaian player in the Premier League club.
Hughton recalled the failed deal during his time with Brighton, stating, “Raphael Dwamena is always in the thoughts of everyone. I was the manager of Brighton when we tried to sign him, so I met him. We had gained promotion to the Premier League. He was set to be the first Ghanaian in the squad. He is always in our thoughts.”
The deal with Brighton fell through, and although the club did not officially communicate the reason for pulling out, it is widely believed that a detected heart problem was the cause. This issue later became evident when Dwamena collapsed during a league match, leading to his untimely death while being transported to the hospital.
Despite the tragic circumstances, Hughton expressed his continued remembrance of Dwamena and acknowledged the player’s impact on the football community. Dwamena, known for his time in Spain with Levante and Real Zaragoza, as well as his stints in Switzerland and Austria, left a lasting impression on those who knew him.
Source:3news
