Ghanaian defender Maxwell Woledzi says the presence of “good people” was the decisive factor behind his decision to join Major League Soccer side Nashville SC.
The 24-year-old completed his move from Norwegian club Fredrikstad FK in December 2025, signing a three-year contract after a standout season in which he was voted his former team’s Player of the Year.
For Woledzi, however, the transfer was not only about footballing ambition, but also about the environment he believes will shape the next stage of his career.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Citi Sports, the Right to Dream Academy graduate explained that his choice was guided by careful assessment of the club and those who make it run.
“When I assessed everything, [moving to] Nashville was the right thing to do,” Woledzi said. “You have to know who you are going to work with – the people around you.”
The defender went on to outline how his evaluation extended beyond facilities or reputation, focusing instead on relationships and culture within the club.
“When you have good people around you, i.e., the coaches, the technical directors, the players, then you know you are going to a good place. I assessed Nashville and the league… I know that I’m going to meet very good players,” he added.
Woledzi’s comments shed light on a growing trend among young African footballers who are increasingly drawn to Major League Soccer, not only for the competitive opportunities it offers, but also for the structure and stability that many clubs in the league are now able to provide.
His move places him among a new wave of Ghanaian talents exploring pathways outside the traditional European leagues.
The former Fredrikstad defender arrives in the United States after a season that firmly established him as one of the most reliable players in his position in Norway.
Being named Player of the Year was recognition of his consistency, leadership and development, traits that Nashville SC will be hoping to harness as they continue to build their squad.
Woledzi now joins a Nashville side that is still reflecting on a demanding 2025 campaign, which ended in the play-offs with defeat to eventual champions Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi.
While that disappointment brought their season to a close, it has also reinforced the club’s determination to strengthen and evolve, creating the kind of environment that appealed to the Ghanaian centre-back.
For Woledzi, the move represents both a personal milestone and a calculated step forward.
His grounding at the Right to Dream Academy has long been associated with producing players who are encouraged to think deeply about career choices, and his explanation suggests a maturity that goes beyond a simple change of clubs.
Rather than chasing the biggest name or the quickest route to stardom, Woledzi believes that working within the right group of people is what will ultimately allow him to reach his potential.
His message is simple but telling: success is built not only on talent and opportunity, but on trust, relationships and shared purpose.
For Nashville SC, that philosophy may yet prove to be one of their most valuable new signings.
