Latest news with #Gyamfi
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa women's basketball continues quirky team tradition
Earlier this week during Iowa women's basketball's media availability following summer practice, senior forward Jada Gyamfi revealed a peculiar team tradition that will likely come as a shock to many Hawkeye fans and some unsuspecting teammates as well. During her rounds with the local media, Gyamfi was asked if she had any unique veteran jokes or pranks she performs with the team after being around the program for the last three seasons. The 6-foot-1 forward admitted to being the torchbearer of a long-standing locker room tradition, which she inherited from former Hawkeyes guard Kate Martin after Martin left the program following the 2023-24 season. According to Gyamfi, this tradition involves the random placement of fake cockroaches in teammates' locker room stalls, personal belongings (such as backpacks and shoes) and even throwing them following workouts. "Okay, so I have fake cockroaches in my locker. They have been passed down for many years. So Kate had them when I got here, and I took them from Kate when she left. So that's my go-to prank. Cockroach in your shoe. "If you bring a backpack in, you might find a couple of fake cockroaches in there. Or sometimes, when everyone's really tired after weights or something, I'll just grab one and throw it and see if anyone notices. It's really funny," Gyamfi said. When asked how long the tradition has been practiced within the Hawkeyes' locker room, Gyamfi was unsure, but said it had been occurring for around eight years. "Oh my god. Well, probably like eight years. I don't know. But I need to buy more," Gyamfi said. In a follow-up question on whether she believes Martin started the odd tradition, she immediately agreed and said that her locker currently has a jar of fake cockroaches waiting to be used. "I believe so," Gyamfi answered. "So if you ever get a tour of the locker room and open my locker, you will see a mason jar of fake cockroaches." While the tradition may cause some fans' skin to crawl, it has certainly created a lively locker room atmosphere for the Hawkeyes over time. And, in big-time collegiate athletics, whatever can help lighten the mood at times is a tradition worth carrying on. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Emmanuel Gyamfi can handle Aberdeen rough stuff as Venlo insider briefs Jimmy Thelin on powerful speedster
The left-sided player has joined the Dons on a permanent deal from Schalke's famed youth academy Aberdeen newboy Emmanuel Gyamfi won't have to worry about looking out for himself in the Scottish Premiership. That's according to the versatile full back's former manager at VVV-Venlo John Lammers, who reckons the youngster's physical attributes are tailor-made for his new endeavour. Gyamfi, 20, is one of four signings made by Jimmy Thelin so far this summer after arriving from former Bundesliga powerhouses FC Schalke, who are now languishing in Germany's second tier. And while the left-sided player was unable to make a first team appearance for the club after rising through the Gelsenkirchen side's youth ranks, he arrives in the Granite City off the back of a breakthrough loan spell at Venlo in the Netherlands second division. Gyamfi made 31 appearances in total last season, mainly operating as a left-back. Boss Lammers knows that the German starlet has a long way to go to become a complete player but reckons his loan stint in Holland will stand him in good stead when the teams up with the Scottish Cup winners. He told Record Sport: "I saw him play several times and I saw a lot of potential in him. He has a lot of things that he is good at but also a lot of things that he can improve. "For me he was a potential player. He has a lot of speed, a lot of power and a good left foot. Tactically he was not so good but he learned a lot along the way and I think if he learns how to play simpler he will be a better player. "In the beginning he did a lot of things wrong because he's a young player. We talked with him and showed him a lot of videos of his potential. He was still learning at the end of the season so I think he has a lot more potential. 'With the power he has and his crossing technique, there are a lot of strengths in him. "He has that power and speed so I don't think he has to be afraid of that in Scotland. That will be no problem for him." Like any young player, Gyamfi is susceptible to making an error now and again as he tries to find his way in the game. But Lammers reckons that the former Schalke kid - who he sees as more of a left back - has the minerals required to push himself to the limit. "He is a left back. When I talked with him he said 'you know I can be a right winger and left winger'. But at left back or as a wing back in a back five, he can be really good. 'He has the power to go forward and also to get back in the duels. But for me he doesn't have the finesse or fine technique needed to be a winger. "If you give him the time, he will do well. He wants to be better every day so I think he can surprise (next season) if you give him the confidence. He is a someone who needs confidence like a lot of players. "He was an example on the training ground. He worked really hard and was a good guy to work with. He is fun to have around but he knows when to work hard, so you never have to turn him on. He always wanted to train. "You can tell him what he is doing wrong, and he will work on it and grow. He can surprise you." Veteran gaffer Lammers started his coaching career back in 2004 and also believes Gyamfi has the potential to be a big hit with Aberdeen fans, who are gearing up for a group stage campaign in the Europa League or Conference League next season. He stated: "He had a good relationship with the fans in Holland. Supporters like players like him who give everything. Even if he makes a mistake he stands up to it and sprints back. I always tell my young players, you will make mistakes but what matters is what you do afterwards. "Do you give up or do you sprint back? And he (Emmanuel) will sprint because he wants to get the ball back. He will make mistakes but I am sure the people are going to love him."
Press and Journal
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen sign German youth international left-back from FC Schalke 04 on four-year deal
Aberdeen have signed German youth international left-back Emmanuel Gyamfi on a four-year deal from FC Schalke 04. The 20-year-old has been secured for an undisclosed fee subject to international clearance and VISA formalities. Gyamfi emerged through the youth academy at Bundesliga 2 side Schalke where he is regarded as one of their hottest prospects. The left-back gained valuable senior experience during a loan spell with VVV-Venlo in the Eerste Divisie during the 2024-2025 season. Gyamfi says he is inspired by Aberdeen's 20,000 fans during the Scottish Cup final triumph at Hampden. And he aims to help bring more silverware success to the Dons under boss Jimmy Thelin. He said: ' I'm really happy to be here and so are my family, so I am ready to go. 'Now that everything is sorted, I can focus on pre-season, and I am going to work hard before training starts. 'I will give my best to help the team. 'I want to show the fans what I can do as this is a good club, and we all want to achieve even more than last season. 'It was nice to see all the fan celebrations after winning the cup. 'It motivates me to want to do it again as you can see how much they love Aberdeen. 'Obviously it's a dream to play in Europe, on that stage. 'It can be challenging but we are going to be ready as a team after a strong pre-season.' An attacking-left back Gyamfi will bring pace, technical ability and goals to Aberdeen. Dons boss Thelin needed to bolster the left-back position following the exit of Jack MacKenzie at the end of the season. Thelin said: 'Emmanuel is a player we have been monitoring for some time. 'He possess all the attributes we are looking for in a modern full-back. 'He's dynamic and has a great work ethic. 'His development at Schalke and his recent loan spell demonstrates his potential and we believe this will be the environment in which he can thrive.'
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Emmanuel Gyamfi sold on Aberdeen transfer by Scottish Cup party as Hampden scenes sealed the deal
The Dons have agreed a deal with Schalke 04 for the young left-sided player who has penned a four-year agreement New signing Emmanuel Gyamfi has admitted seeing the Scottish Cup celebrations has motivated him to bring more glory to Aberdeen. The Dons have agreed a deal to sign the young left-sided player from Schalke 04 on a four-year deal. The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Dutch club VVV Venlo, comes in to fight for the left-back slot with Graeme Shinnie, after Jack MacKenzie quit for Plymouth. Gyamfi has seen his new club wallow in the glow of their first cup success in over a decade and hopes he can also bring glory in the coming seasons. Gyamfi said: 'It was nice to see all the fan celebrations after winning the cup. It motivates me to want to do it again as you can see how much they love Aberdeen. 'It motivates me to do it again. I will give my best to help the team. 'I want to show the fans what I can do as this is a good club, and we all want to achieve even more than last season.' Another added pull for the German was European football. Aberdeen go straight into the final Europa League qualifier but regardless of what happens are guaranteed group football until the end of the year. He said: 'Obviously, it's a dream to play in Europe, on that stage. 'There is the chance for the Europa League and then definitely the Conference League. 'It can be challenging but we are going to be ready as a team after a strong pre-season. We have nothing to worry about.' The left-sided player will give Thelin's side options. He can play on the wing or in defence and although he is left-sided he can also play on the right. Gyamfi is ready for the physical challenge of the Scottish game. He stated: 'Scottish football will be intense, so I have to be ready both physically and mentally for this. 'I am comfortable to play on the left or right, I can play as a winger or a full-back on both sides. I am strong, fast and can dribble. I hope it will help being able to play in some positions. 'I just want to get a good pre-season, get fit and get going when we start back. I signed for four years and am confident about my time here, I want to achieve things here. 'I heard about the interest about five months ago, my agent told me about the offer but I wanted to focus on the season. 'I didn't play a lot to start with but then started playing a lot, and now I'm here. I'm really happy to be here and so are my family, so I am ready to go.' The new arrival believes his time in Holland will help him hit the ground running in the Granite City. Gyamfi, speaking to RedTV, said: 'It was hard in the beginning (at Venlo) but I fought my way through it. Last season I played around 30 games, after the winter break I played a lot and it felt good. 'My confidence had been down in the beginning because I didn't play a lot, but getting into the team at the end gave me a lot of confidence.' He has previously been at Fortuna Dusseldorf before he moved to Schalke. Thelin admitted Gyamfi is exactly what he wants in an Aberdeen full-back. Thelin said: 'Emmanuel is a player we have been monitoring for some time. He possesses all the attributes we are looking for in a modern full-back. He's dynamic and has a great work ethic. 'His development at Schalke and his recent loan spell demonstrates his potential and we believe this will be the environment in which he can thrive.'
STV News
06-06-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Aberdeen sign 'highly-rated' German youth international Emmanuel Gyamfi
Aberdeen have signed German full-back Emmanuel Gyamfi, with the club saying they are delighted to have secured the signature of the 'highly-rated' young talent. The 20-year-old has moved from Bundesliga 2 side Schalke 04, and agreed a four-year deal with the Dons. Gyamfi came through Schalke's academy and spent time with VVV-Venlo in the Eerste Divisie last season. The full-back, who is described as versatile and attacking, says he can't wait to get started at his Scottish Cup-winning new side. 'I'm really happy to be here and so are my family, so I am ready to go,' he said. 'Now that everything is sorted, I can focus on pre-season, and I am going to work hard before training starts. 'I will give my best to help the team. I want to show the fans what I can do as this is a good club, and we all want to achieve even more than last season. 'It was nice to see all the fan celebrations after winning the cup. It motivates me to want to do it again as you can see how much they love Aberdeen. 'Obviously it's a dream to play in Europe, on that stage. It can be challenging but we are going to be ready as a team after a strong pre-season.' Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin said: ''Emmanuel is a player we have been monitoring for some time. He possess all the attributes we are looking for in a modern full-back. He's dynamic and has a great work ethic. 'His development at Schalke and his recent loan spell demonstrates his potential and we believe this will be the environment in which he can thrive.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
