Atalanta look set to complete the signing of Kamaldeen Sulemana from Southampton—a move that has caught the eye both in Italy and abroad. For fans of La Dea unfamiliar with the Ghanaian winger, here’s everything you need to know about the 23-year-old: his style, stats, journey so far, and why he could thrive in Bergamo.
🧒 Who is Kamaldeen Sulemana?
- Full Name: Kamaldeen Sulemana
- Date of Birth: 15 February 2002 (23 years old)
- Nationality: Ghanaian
- Height: 1.75 m (5’9″)
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Primary Position: Left Winger
- Other Positions: Right Winger, Second Striker / False 9
- International Team: Ghana (Senior debut in 2020)
Sulemana is a graduate of Ghana’s famed Right to Dream Academy and has earned a reputation as one of the most exciting dribblers of his generation. He’s dynamic, fearless, and unpredictable—traits that could make him a serious asset in Serie A.
🛤️ Career Path So Far
➤ Right to Dream Academy (Ghana)
Kamaldeen honed his skills in one of Africa’s top youth academies, known for producing talents like Mohammed Kudus.
➤ FC Nordsjælland (Denmark) — 2020–2021
He made his professional debut in Denmark at just 18, quickly standing out for his pace and flair. In 34 Superliga appearances, he scored 13 goals—putting him on the radar of top clubs across Europe.
➤ Stade Rennais (France) — 2021–2023
Sulemana became Rennes’ record signing, costing around €20 million. He impressed early on with his explosive style in Ligue 1, registering 6 goals and 4 assists in 47 appearances.
➤ Southampton FC (England) — 2023–2025
Signed during the Saints’ Premier League relegation fight, Sulemana made headlines by scoring twice on the final day of the 2022/23 season. Despite the club’s Championship stint in 2023/24, he returned to the top flight for 2024/25—although struggled for consistency.
📊 2024/25 Season Stats (Premier League)
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 26 (plus 4 in domestic cups) |
| Goals | 1 (plus 1 in FA Cup) |
| Assists | 2 |
| Dribbles per 90 | ~4.3 (Elite level) |
| Assists per 90 | 96th percentile |
| Crosses | Above average |
| Goal conversion | Low (5th percentile) |
| Defensive work rate | Limited |
Despite modest end product, Sulemana remained among the most dangerous players when it came to progressive ball carries and 1v1 take-ons. His dribbling and acceleration were consistently among the top in the Premier League.
⚽ Playing Style
Kamaldeen Sulemana is a textbook modern winger:
- Explosive Speed – Capable of beating defenders over short and long distances.
- Elite Dribbling – Among Europe’s best for successful take-ons per 90.
- Direct & Vertical – Excels in transition, loves to attack space.
- Tactical Flexibility – Can operate on either flank or as a central attacker in a free role.
- Final Product Needs Work – Finishing and decision-making are areas for development.
He thrives when given creative freedom and space to run. At Atalanta, a team that emphasizes pressing and attacking width, Sulemana’s profile fits naturally into their aggressive game model.
🗣️ Quotes from Coaches & Experts
“Form is temporary, class is permanent. Kamaldeen is in the same ballpark as Vinicius Jr and Jeremy Doku.”
— Tom Vernon, Right to Dream founder
“When he is in space, he is basically unstoppable in one‑on‑one situations.”
— Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, Ghana coach
“If you like Mbappé, you’ll like Kamaldeen. He has four signature moves you know are coming—but you still can’t stop them.”
— Gary Al-Smith, BBC Ghana journalist
🔍 Strengths & Weaknesses
✅ Strengths:
- Dribbling & close control
- Acceleration & agility
- Assists and creative intent
- Positional versatility
⚠️ Weaknesses:
- Finishing under pressure
- Defensive contribution
- Tactical discipline
- Can drift in and out of games when uninvolved
Southampton fans often described him as a “mood player”—brilliant when confident, but quiet if the team isn’t playing through him. That will be one of the key challenges Ivan Juric may need to address.
What Can He Bring to Atalanta?
For Atalanta, this could be a low-risk, high-reward transfer. Sulemana’s skillset mirrors that of previous success stories at the club—unrefined talents developed into stars in Bergamo’s high-octane system. If given confidence and structure, he could become a key figure off the left, capable of both breaking open games and serving as a rotation option in European fixtures.
In short: Sulemana brings chaos, pace, and flair. With the right guidance, he could become one of Serie A’s most exciting wide players.
📝 Final Verdict
Kamaldeen Sulemana is far from the finished product, but his raw attributes are undeniable. If Atalanta can unlock his potential, Serie A defenders are in for a nightmare.
Welcome to Bergamo, Kamaldeen.
The Calcio Blog 