Abbey rules out move to Aduana, Kotoko
Accra Hearts of Oak skipper Thomas Abbey has ruled out any move to arch-rival Kumasi Asante Kotoko despite reports strongly linking him with the Porcupine Warriors.
Advertisement
In fact, he has also denied inching towards newly-crowned Premier League champions, Aduana Stars.
Abbey’s refusal to train with Hearts when the Phobians began pre-season preparation last Monday deepened the speculation that the club9 may be losing the fight to maintain their prized skipper, Thomas .
With competition for his signature rising from Kotoko and Aduana Stars, who are determined to bolster their squad for their domestic and continental campaigns next year, the offensive midfielder has decided the best way to secure his future is to stay away from any engagement with the Phobian club.
Reports available to Graphic Sports indicate that out-of-contract Abbey was among a few Hearts players who revolted and refused to join their teammates for pre-season training, perhaps, due to the lure of contracts from other clubs.
Read Also: Parliament approves 2018 Budget after gruelling debate
However, he was emphatic that he was neither heading for Kumasi nor Dormaa-Ahenkro despite reports that the MTN FA Cup holders were preparing to prise him away as part of efforts by Coach Steve Polack to strengthen his attack.
“I know nothing about any move to Kotoko. No one at Kotoko has spoken to me. I have other plans so I don’t think I will go to Kotoko,” Abbey told the Graphic Sports yesterday.
Instead, it emerged that the 24-year-old, who was Hearts’ top goal scorer and the third highest in the Premier League with 13 goals, was eyeing a move to the United States where MLS side, Minnesota United, are reportedly interested in his services.
Last month, Abbey travelled to South Africa reportedly for trials with Ajax Cape Town, even though the player rejected the Ajax link insisting that his presence in the Rainbow nation was purely for vacation.
After briefly resuming training with Hearts on his return, Abbey is said to have stayed away from any activity involving the club, including boycotting training sessions.
Hearts are scheduled to play against kotoko in the return leg of the Ghana@60 anniversary match on December 24, but it remains uncertain whether their unsettled captain would be part of the team.