Ghanaian · Seclin, France · Born 17 December 1989Versatile Ghanaian forward and son of Abedi Pelé who has served the Black Stars with distinction across multiple tournaments and generations.
André Morgan Rami Ayew was born on 17 December 1989 in Seclin, France, the son of Ghanaian football legend Abedi "Pele" Ayew, a three-time African Footballer of the Year, and grew up around his father's final club, 1860 Munich. At age ten, the family relocated to Accra, Ghana, where André joined Nania, the club his father chaired, making his senior debut there at just 14. Ayew signed with Marseille, his father's former club, in 2005, spending two years in the youth academy before loan spells at Lorient and Arles-Avignon, helping the latter earn promotion to Ligue 1. He returned to Marseille's first team and developed into one of the club's most reliable performers before a move to Swansea City in 2015. Ayew captained Ghana's under-20 team to victory at both the 2009 African Youth Championship and the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and went on to become a key figure for the senior national team, representing Ghana at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, finishing as top scorer at the 2015 edition as Ghana reached the final. Ayew was named BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2011, and continued his career across England with West Ham United and Nottingham Forest, extending a footballing dynasty that includes his brothers Ibrahim and Jordan, both of whom also became Ghana internationals.
Being Ghana's captain and leading scorer in recent years
As the son of Ghanaian legend Abedi Pelé, André Ayew followed his father's footsteps at Marseille and went on to become Ghana's most-capped player and long-serving captain.
Did You Know?How They Played
Versatile forward/winger with pace, dribbling ability and strong finishing
Lasting Impact
Ayew continued his family's footballing legacy and became one of Ghana's most capped players, helping maintain the country's presence in international football.
Career Honours
- Ligue 1 2010 (Marseille)
- Ligue 1 2010
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marseille | 2007–2015 | — | 160 | 44 |
| Lorient | 2008–2009 | loan | 22 | 3 |
| Arles-Avignon | 2009–2010 | loan | 25 | 4 |
| Swansea City | 2015–2016 | Free transfer | 34 | 12 |
| West Ham United | 2016–2018 | £20m | 43 | 9 |
| Swansea City | 2018–2021 | Free transfer | 99 | 31 |
| Fenerbahçe | 2018–2019 | loan | 29 | 5 |
| Al Sadd | 2021–2023 | £20m | 30 | 18 |
| Nottingham Forest | 2023–2023 | £20m | 13 | 0 |
| Le Havre | 2023–2025 | £20m | 46 | 9 |
| NAC Breda | 2026–2026 | — | 17 | 1 |
 Ghana | — | — | 119 | 25 |
Ghanaian Athletes