Who is Mohammed Kudus? 9 Key Facts That Define His Career, And Playing Style
- Think Football Ideas
- Jul 10
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 11
Full Name: Mohammed Kudus
Date of Birth: 2 August 2000
Place of Birth: Nima, Ghana
Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s): Attacking midfielder, Right winger
Current Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Jersey Number: 20
Who Is Mohammed Kudus? 9 Things You Should Know About His Journey And Playing Style
There are times when a footballer doesn’t simply play, he glows. And then there’s Mohammed Kudu, an artist with the ball, all rhythm and fire. Even when you see him gliding down the flanks, he carries the defiance of someone who’s fought through mud and stone to dance in the light.
Now beginning a new chapter at Tottenham Hotspur, following his £55m move from West Ham United on July 10, 2025, you can tell Mohammed Kudus isn’t just playing the game, he’s living it, loud and unapologetic, just like the boy from Nima always dreamed.
Here Are 9 Key Facts That Define Mohammed Kudus' Career And Playing Style
1. He Was Born In Nima, Ghana
Mohammed Kudus entered the world on August 2, 2000, in Nima, a vibrant Zongo enclave in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region. Famous for its bustling market and deep-rooted culture, Nima means “City of the King” in the Ga language, and it’s one of Ghana’s oldest Islamic communities.
It’s also a place where ambition burns through hardship. Kudus grew up amid the grit and pulse of its streets, shaped by the chaos and love of a community that taught him resilience. “Nima taught me hunger,” he once reflected. “That never dies.”
2. His Youth Career Began At Ghana's Right To Dream Football Academy
Kudus's journey into structured football began at the highly respected Right to Dream Academy, where raw talent meets discipline and vision. From a young age, he stood out because of his skill, maturity and intelligence on the pitch.
The Academy helped sharpen his instincts and gave him a global perspective. “They taught me how to dream,” he once said. “But more importantly, how to chase it.” It wasn’t just about football, it was a holistic preparation for life as a professional and as a man.
3. He Signed His First Professional Contract With Danish Club Nordsjælland
In January 2018, Kudus took his first major step abroad, signing his maiden professional contract with FC Nordsjælland in Denmark. He was only 17 at the time and made his debut in the Superliga three days after turning 18, starting up front against Brøndby IF.
Though subbed at halftime, he’d already etched his name into the club’s history books as the ninth youngest debutant. That move didn’t only launch his career, it proved he was ready for the European stage.
3. He Won His First Career Trophy With Ajax
After joining Dutch giants Ajax in July 2020, Kudus endured an injury-hit start but rebounded with flair. On April 18, 2021, he celebrated his first major silverware, the KNVB Cup, as Ajax edged past Vitesse 2–1 in the final.
That same season, he was part of the squad that claimed the Eredivisie title. Though he wasn’t always the headline act, his moments of brilliance lit up Johan Cruyff Arena. It was a landmark year: his first taste of glory on European soil.
4. His First UCL Goal Was Against Rangers
The Champions League spotlight often forges legends, and Kudus stepped into that glow on 7 September 2022. In Ajax’s emphatic 4–0 win over Rangers, he scored a magnificent solo goal, breezing past defenders before slamming the ball home off the inside of the post.
The goal was a statement. Fans around the world began to take notice. On the biggest stage in club football, Kudus showed he wasn’t there to blend in.
5. He Became A Hammer In 2023, The Third Ghanaian To Play For West Ham
In August 2023, West Ham United sealed Kudus’s signature for a reported €44.5 million, making him the second most expensive Ghanaian player ever. He followed the likes of John Paintsil and André Ayew, becoming the club’s third Ghanaian signing.
From the start, Kudus sparkled, scoring two in a Europa League clash and delivering a sensational scissor-kick volley against Brentford that earned Goal of the Month. London quickly learned his name, and fans embraced his fearless flair.
6. He Registered the Most Successful Dribbles In The 2023–24 Premier League Season
Few players in the Premier League brought defenders to their knees like Kudus in the 2023–24 season. He completed a league-leading 124 successful dribbles, a staggering stat that underlines his confidence and control in tight spaces.
His low centre of gravity, explosive bursts, and boldness on the ball made him a nightmare to mark. “Dribbling is freedom,” Kudus once said. “It’s how I express myself.” And boy, did he speak volumes.
7. Mohammed Kudus Idolises Thiago Alcantara
For all his daring footwork and raw athleticism, Kudus’s footballing brain draws inspiration from the smooth stylings of Thiago Alcântara. He’s cited the Spanish maestro as his biggest influence, admiring Thiago’s composure, vision, and elegance.
“He makes the game look like jazz,” Kudus said, as Ghanasoccernet quoted. That influence is visible in his play, where quick touches, feints, and subtle passes flow like music. Kudus doesn’t imitate, but he’s clearly learned from one of the best.
8. He Honours His Father And Mother, And Uplifts His Family
Kudus's success story isn’t just his, it belongs to his family, too. When he signed his first professional contract, his top priority was to move his mother out of Nima and into a house of her own.
“That’s the basic need in living, to wake up without rent on your mind,” he shared via Ghanaweb. His father, Mr. Mahama Mohammed Yaw, has openly praised him for his loyalty and generosity. Kudus regularly visits his hometown, supports his siblings, and never forgets his roots. His rise isn’t driven by ego, but by gratitude.
9. His Style Of Play is Electric, Versatile, And Fearless
Mohammed Kudus doesn’t play football, he electrifies it. His style is a thrilling cocktail of power, poise, and unpredictability. Whether he's gliding past defenders with tight control or unleashing rocket-like shots from the edge of the box, Kudus brings relentless energy to every phase of the game.
His low centre of gravity makes him a nightmare in one-on-one duels, where his quick feet and rapid changes of direction often leave opponents chasing shadows. But he's not all flair, there's graft too.
Kudus presses high, tracks back with intent, and contributes defensively like a player who understands that brilliance without effort means little. Comfortable on the wing, through the middle, or behind the striker, he's a tactical Swiss army knife - unpredictable, unrelenting, and always dangerous.
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