Eric Ayiah

Eric Ayiah (born 6 March 2000) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Portuguese Liga 3 club Varzim on loan from Felgueiras. He is a former captain of the Ghana U17 Team. He was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation 2017".

Early and personal life Ayiah attended Fomena T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High for his secondary school education. Whilst playing for the Ghana U17 team, Ayiah wore the number 6 jersey as a tribute to Ghana's Independence Day; 6 March, which is coincidentally also his birthday. He rose through the ranks till he was promoted to the senior team who played in the Ghana Division Two League. He signed a five-year deal with the club.

On 1 September 2022, Ayiah signed a three-year contract with Primeira Liga club Gil Vicente.

On 4 October 2023, after terminating his contract with Gil Vicente, Ayiah signed a two-year contract with Liga 3 side Trofense.

International career Ayiah was the captain for the Ghanaian youth team, the Black Starlets, the Ghana U17 Team. He was included in Goal's 10 players to watch out of for at the World Cup.

In December 2016, he was nominated for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Youth Player of the year alongside Ghanaian women's footballer Sandra Owusu-Ansah and eventual winner Nigerian footballer Alex Iwobi. He was again nominated for CAF Youth Player of the year award in 2017. The award was eventually won by Zambian footballer Patson Daka.

Career statistics

Club

Honours Ghana U17 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations runners up: 2017

Individual CAF Youth Player of the year nominee: 2016, 2017