Ishmael Addo

Ishmael Addo (born 30 July 1982) is a Ghanaian former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is best known for his accomplishments during his career at Ghanaian side Hearts of Oak, but has also spent several years in France, Israel, Greece, Cyprus and India. A diminutive striker with an exceptional turn of pace, Addo's ability to score goals and demoralise the opposition has led to him earning the nickname "baby-faced assassin". Holding the record of overall top scorer in the history of the Ghanaian League (22 goals in a single season), he is considered to be one of the most talented strikers ever to grace the competition. At some point during his career, Addo was named in FIFA's top 100 prospects.

After an unsuccessful loan spell at French club SC Bastia, Addo was signed by Israeli side Maccabi Netanya during the summer of 2002. He went on to feature in all six UEFA Champions League group stage matches, without however scoring a goal.

After struggling to establish himself in the Maccabi Tel Aviv first team, Addo was loaned out to Greek Super League club Ergotelis in January 2005 until the end of the season. He scored his only goal in 15 caps for the club on 20 February 2005, in a 2–1 victory over reigning champions Olympiacos. He then moved to Cyprus signing with Cypriot First Division side Enosis Neon Paralimni, but after spending yet another season struggling, he decided to return to Ghana and his first club Hearts of Oak in October 2006. He was released from his contract at the end of the season in 2009, after failing to impress the club, who fielded him as a midfielder, despite the fact he had proven to be more efficient as a striker throughout his career.

After spending the next two years without a club, Addo had a short stint with newly promoted Ghanaian Premier League side Wassaman United. He left the eventually relegated club in 2011 and was once again unattached until January 2015, when he signed with second-tier Ghanaian club Eleven Wonders.

International career Addo was a key member of the Ghanaian U-17 team that reached the FIFA U-17 World Championship semifinals in New Zealand. He won the golden boot award, scoring seven goals that helped Ghana to an impressive third-place finish.

Addo made his senior debut in July 2000 at the age of 17, also managing to score his first goal against Sierra Leone during the 2002 World Cup CAF qualification final round. He went on to have 9 appearances for the black stars.

Career statistics International

Scores and results list Ghana's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Addo goal.

+ List of international goals scored by Ishmael AddoNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 10 July 2000 Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana 5–0 5–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Hearts of Oak Ghanaian League: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007 Ghanaian FA Cup: 1999, 2000 CAF Champions League: 2000 CAF Super Cup: 2001

Ghana FIFA World Youth Championship runners-up: 2001

Individual

FIFA U-17 World Championship Golden Boot: 1999 Ghanaian League top scorer: 1999, 2000, 2001

Records Most goals scored in a Ghanaian League season: 22 goals