Ghanaian sports men over the years have found love outside their country
Ghanaian sportsmen are used to crossing borders for their careers, chasing trophies, medals, and personal bests.
But for some, the journey has gone beyond the pitch and the track.
A growing number of Ghana’s sportsmen are finding love far from home, settling down with partners from Europe and beyond.
At the top of that list is Thomas Partey, the Black Stars midfielder who now plies his trade with Villarreal in Spain after leaving Arsenal.
Away from football, Partey has been in a long-term relationship with his fiancée, Janine Mackson, a British model and influencer.
The two have been spotted together at events and on holiday, with Partey often seen sharing tender moments with her during breaks from club duty.
Their relationship has quietly grown alongside his football career, offering a softer, more personal side to the man known for his calm authority on the field.
Alexander Djiku is another familiar name blending Ghanaian grit with European calm.
The experienced defender is married to Hélène, a French woman with whom he shares a family.
Djiku’s wife and children have been a constant presence throughout his career, providing him with stability off the pitch.
Denis Odoi, the Belgian-born Ghanaian defender, also shares a similar story.
Odoi, who represented Belgium before switching allegiance to Ghana, is married to Kathleen Thijs, a Belgian woman who has supported him throughout his long career in Europe.
On the athletics front, Ghana’s sprint stars are following suit. Benjamin Azamati, one of the country’s fastest men, made headlines in November 2025 when he proposed to his Italian girlfriend, Raquel Chavez, during a vacation.
His close friend and fellow sprinter James Dadzie, who holds the national record in the 200 metres, is also said to be engaged to a white partner.
Then there are Alidu Seidu and Elisha Owusu, two French-based Black Stars players whose stories quietly mirror the same theme.
Alidu Seidu has often been pictured off duty with his light-skinned partner, a woman who appears to bring a gentler side to the tough-tackling defender.
Owusu has long been private about his personal life, but those close to him say his European girlfriend has been a quiet source of balance and support through injuries and the ups and downs of football.
Together, they’ve built a modest life in France, one that reflects the quiet discipline and humility that define him as a player.
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