Simon Adingra, the forward for Ivory Coast’s national football team, has emerged as a rising star, showcasing the quality of graduates from the “Right to Dream” football academy in Africa.
This academy, which has produced hundreds of players since its inception in 1999, is currently owned by an Egyptian economic group.
Just three years after his transfer from the academy in Ghana to Europe, the 22-year-old Adingra celebrated a continental gold medal after contributing to his country’s victory in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Injured initially, Adingra missed the first two matches of the tournament hosted by his country but made a notable impact upon his return in the third round, where he assisted in scoring two goals against Nigeria in the final match, which Ivory Coast won 2-1.
On February 3rd, Adingra scored the winning goal against Mali, securing a 2-1 victory in the quarter-finals, earning his place in the starting lineup for the semi-final against Congo and the final.
Adingra’s impressive performance, scoring 12 goals in a season and a half with Danish club Nordsjælland, owned by the “Right to Dream” academy and his first European club, caught the attention of Brighton scouts, known for their interest in young talents.
Brighton signed the Ivorian youngster in the summer of 2022 and loaned him to Swiss club Union Saint-Gilloise.
It was there that Adingra excelled, scoring 15 goals and providing as many assists.
His stellar performance prompted Brighton’s Italian coach, Roberto Di Zerbi, to rely on him heavily this season.
Responding to his coach’s trust, Adingra scored five goals and provided three assists in the first half of the season.
Amidst the Ivorian celebrations for the continental title, the African Union announced Adingra as the recipient of the Best Young Player award of the tournament.
When Di Zerbi brought him back from Switzerland last summer, Adingra’s market value was €10 million, according to the “Transfermarkt” football website. Currently, his value is estimated at €25 million.
Since its inception 25 years ago, the “Right to Dream” academy has produced nearly 300 students who have gone on to pursue professional football careers.
The academy, acquired by an Egyptian group three years ago for $120 million, serves as an educational and football training facility, nurturing players who have made their mark in European football, including Ghanaian Mohammed Kudus, a forward for English club West Ham United, and his compatriot Kamaldeen Sulemana, a former forward for French club Rennes and current player for Southampton in England.
With its current owners, the academy has expanded its operations to Egypt and the United States.
