Ibrahim Ayew
FullnameIbrahim Abdul Rahim Ayew
Birth date16 April 1988 (age 38)
Birth placeTamale, Ghana
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
PositionDefensive Midfielder
CurrentclubLincoln Red Imps
Clubnumber5
Youthclubs 1Adisadel College
Youthclubs 2Nania
Years 12005–2008
Caps 177
Goals 113
Clubs 1Nania
Years 22008–2009
Caps 230
Goals 26
Clubs 2Eleven Wise
Years 32009–2010
Caps 311
Goals 31
Clubs 3Zamalek
Years 42011–2013
Caps 439
Goals 40
Clubs 4Lierse
Years 52013–2015
Caps 511
Goals 50
Clubs 5Asante Kotoko
Years 62016–2021
Caps 683
Goals 64
Clubs 6Europa
Years 72022–2023
Caps 718
Goals 70
Clubs 7Bruno's Magpies
Years 82023–
Caps 849
Goals 80
Clubs 8Lincoln Red Imps
Nationalteam 1Ghana U-17
Nationalteam 2Ghana U-20
Nationalteam 3Ghana U-23
Nationalyears 42009–2010
Nationalteam 4Ghana
Nationalcaps 47
Nationalgoals 40
Pcupdate25 April 2026

Ibrahim Abdul Rahim Ayew (born 16 April 1988), also known as Ibrahim Ayew or Rahim Ayew, is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Gibraltar Football League club Lincoln Red Imps.

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Club career

Ayew began to play football at Adisadel College, and later started his professional career with his father's team F.C. Nania[1] and was in January 2009 transferred to Eleven Wise. He agreed to sign for German club TSG Hoffenheim, signing on a three-and-a-half-year contract,[2] but the deal never materialized. On 17 June 2009, after much speculation, then 21-year-old Ghanaian national player joined from Sekondi Wise Fighters to Egyptian giants El Zamalek FC, where he signed a five-year contract.[3] In January 2011, he signed a contract with Lierse S.K. in the Jupiler League in Belgium. He became a free agent in July 2013 after a two-season stint with Lierse and then for 5 months, he tried to look for a team to play. In December 2013, he returned to Ghana, signing with Asante Kotoko.[4] In 2016, Ayew moved to Gibraltar to sign with Premier Division side Europa. Used as a left-back in the side, he scored his first goal on 19 March 2017 against Europa Point. After 5 years at the club, Ayew left Europa in summer 2021. However, he returned to football a year later to sign for league rivals Bruno's Magpies, first appearing in their inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League squad to face Crusaders on 7 July 2022.[5]

International career

Ayew has played for Ghana at the U-17, U-20, U-23 and the Senior Team levels.[6] He was also called up for the friendly game of the Ghana national football team against Mali national football team[7] and played the game alongside his younger brother André Ayew.[8] He played in the 2010 African cup of nations in Angola and placed 2nd in the tournament. He also featured in the CAF African Nations Cup Tournament (CHAN) and placed 2nd again in that tournament with Rahim voted twice as Man of the match in 2009. He was selected, together with his brother André Ayew as part of Ghana's 23-man team for the 2010 World Cup staged in South Africa.[citation needed]

Personal life

Ayew comes from a family of footballers. He is the half brother of André, Jordan and Imani, having the same father, Ghana's renowned ex captain Abédi Pelé. Abedi and his first wife had Rahim, before Abedi married Maha, mother of Abedi's other children. Rahim is the nephew of Sola Ayew and Ghana's retired ex striker Kwame Ayew.[9]

Honours

Nania

  • E. K. Nayanar Memorial Football Gold Cup: 2007

Asante Kotoko

Europa

Lincoln Red Imps

References

  1. ^ Nania F.C, Okwawu Utd called up by DC Archived 2016-09-13 at the Wayback Machine on ghanafa.com
  2. ^ Rahim Ayew Set To Join Hoffenheim on www.goal.com
  3. ^ Ayew Joins Zamalek
  4. ^ PLB clears Kotoko new signings Jerome Otchere, asantekotokosc.com
  5. ^ Magpies - Crusaders | Squads UEFA.com. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  6. ^ Abedi Pele's son gets France U17 invite on modernghana.com
  7. ^ Dede Ayew, Adiyiah And Others Join Black Stars
  8. ^ Ghana Names Squad For WC Qualifier
  9. ^ "Le clan Ayew, une dynastie de footballeurs" [The Ayew clan, a footballing dynasty] (in French). Slate Afrique. 22 September 2011. Archived 17 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 4 March 2026.