Willy Kumado

Last updated

Willy Kumado
Personal information
Full name William Kumado [1]
Date of birth (2002-10-16) 16 October 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Dansoman, Ghana [2]
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) [2]
Position(s) Right-back
Team information
Current team
San Diego FC
Number 2
Youth career
Right to Dream
2021–2023 Nordsjælland
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2021–2023 Nordsjælland 2 (0)
2023–2025 Lyngby 53 (0)
2025– San Diego FC 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 3 December 2024

William "Willy" Kumado (born 16 October 2002) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Major League Soccer club San Diego FC.

Contents

Club career

Nordsjælland

Kumado was born in Dansoman, Ghana, [2] and was part of the Right to Dream Academy before joining FC Nordsjælland in February 2021 alongside teammate Lasso Coulibaly. [3] During his time at Right to Dream, he played in multiple positions, initially as a midfielder before being moved to centre-back and eventually settling as a right-back. [3] Speaking about his journey, Kumado said, "Since I was a little boy, I have had the dream of playing football. Where I come from, you have to become part of an academy to achieve something in football." [3] He made 13 appearances and scored one goal for the club's under-19 team during the remainder of the season. [4]

On 17 October 2021, Kumado made his professional debut for Nordsjælland in the Danish Superliga against Midtjylland, coming on as a substitute for Oliver Villadsen in the 69th minute. [5] He was initially included in the squad for the previous round against Silkeborg but was eventually left out for the final squad. Before being subbed in against Midtjylland, he recalled feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, saying, "When Flemming [Pedersen] called me over and told me I was coming on, I got goosebumps. I thought, 'Is this really happening?'" [5] Kumado also appeared in the following league match against Vejle Boldklub on 22 October. [1]

On 13 October 2022, Kumado was promoted permanently to Nordsjælland's senior squad after playing a key role as captain for the club's U19 team. [6]

Lyngby

On 31 January 2023, Kumado left Nordsjælland and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with league rivals Lyngby Boldklub. [7] He made his debut for Lyngby on 19 February 2023, coming on as a substitute for Rezan Corlu in a 1–1 draw against his former club. [8] [9] A month later, on 19 March, he registered his first assist in a league match against AC Horsens, setting up Alfreð Finnbogason for the opening goal. [10] Although Horsens equalised to secure another 1–1 draw, Kumado's performance earned him the Man of the Match award, as voted by Lyngby fans. [11]

San Diego FC

On 10 February 2025, Major League Soccer club San Diego FC announced the signing of Kumado on a two-year contract with an additional two-year club option. [2] [12]

Career statistics

As of match played 1 December 2024 [1]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Nordsjælland 2021–22 Superliga 201030
2022–23 Superliga001010
Total202040
Lyngby 2022–23Superliga900090
2023–24 Superliga27040310
2024–25 Superliga17000170
Total53040570
San Diego FC 2025 Major League Soccer 00000000
Career total550600000610

    References

    1. 1 2 3 Willy Kumado at Soccerway
    2. 1 2 3 4 "San Diego FC Signs Defender and Right to Dream Academy Graduate Willy Kumado". San Diego FC. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
    3. 1 2 3 "Ugens U-Nyt: Talentfulde tilføjelser til U19-holdet". FC Nordsjælland (in Danish). 24 February 2021. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022.
    4. Willy Kumado at WorldFootball.net
    5. 1 2 "Willy Kumado om at debuttere i Superligaen: Sker det her virkelig?". FC Nordsjælland (in Danish). 20 October 2021. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022.
    6. "Fra akademi til Superliga: Willy Kumado". FC Nordsjælland (in Danish). 13 October 2022. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022.
    7. Ny back: Lyngby henter William Kumado, lyngby-boldklub.dk, 31 January 2023
    8. "Lyngby vs. Nordsjælland 1–1: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
    9. Dalsgaard, Rudi (19 February 2023). "Lyngby ødelagde FCN-festen". Sjællandske Nyheder (in Danish). Archived from the original on 10 February 2025. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
    10. "Pointdeling mod AC Horsens". Lyngby Boldklub (in Danish). 19 March 2023. Archived from the original on 11 September 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
    11. "Fansene kårede Willy Kumado til kampens spiller". Lyngby Boldklub (in Danish). 19 March 2023. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
    12. "Kumado skifter til San Diego". Lyngby Boldklub (in Danish). 10 February 2025. Archived from the original on 10 February 2025. Retrieved 10 February 2025.