“My father didn’t want me to play soccer,” 19-year-old Ghanaian Kwaku Agyabeng, who made his Major League Soccer debut a few months after being chosen by Sporting Kansas City in the 2026 SuperDraft, stated.
From his early days in Kumasi to his time playing collegiate soccer for Clemson University, Agyabeng showed immense potential, which led to his undeniable ascent in the game.
After a stellar season with Clemson University, where he made 16 appearances in his rookie year, the teenage phenom was selected fourth overall in the SuperDraft.
Before his college career, he had featured for St Benedict’s High School in New Jersey and Cedar Stars Bergen, a team he led to two national titles and a spot in the MLS NEXT Cup U-19’s final in 2025.
Despite his ability, he had to convince his father to pursue his football dreams. His dad, like many African parents, wanted him to go to school, make good grades and secure a white collar job although he introduced him to the sport.
“I started playing soccer when I was five years old. My dad introduced me to the sport but it got to a time, when I was about 10, 11, 12, he didn’t want me to play soccer because he wanted me to focus more on school,” said Agyabeng. “But it got to a point he started seeing the potential in me so he started believing I had a dream he can support,” he added.
It took Agyabeng only 38 minutes into the 2026 Major League Soccer season to realise his dream of playing professional soccer. Agyabeng replaced Justin Reynold’s in SKC’s opener against San Jose at the PayPal Park. The silky midfielder impressed on a weekend that many young players were given their debuts.
Congratulations to #ClemsonUnited Kwaku Agyabeng on making his MLS debut!🔥 pic.twitter.com/zZfped3GBh
— Clemson Men’s Soccer (@ClemsonMSoccer) February 22, 2026
“Kwaku (Agyabeng) came in who came from college and he had a good preseason as well. So I brought him in and I think Kwaku has done well, we know what we get from him. I think he is a bright spot for the future of this club, but obviously that it’s all young (players). We’ve got to give them time,” said SKC coach Raphael Wicky after the 3-0 defeat to San Jose.
Agyabeng is seen as one of the player’s who could contend for the Rookie of the Year award due to his high profile from college football.
