“I only played about 10 Percent role” – Matthew Amoah on André Ayew’s move to NAC Breda
Black Stars legend and NAC Breda technical team member Matthew Amoah has downplayed his influence in André Ayew’s move to the Dutch Eredivisie side, insisting he played only a minor role in the transfer.
Ayew joined NAC Breda as a free agent on December 31, 2025, signing a short-term deal that runs until the end of the season. The move marked a surprise return to European football for the former Black Stars captain.
Speaking to the club’s media, Amoah revealed he was as surprised as many by Ayew’s arrival and dismissed suggestions that he was the driving force behind the transfer.
“Maybe it was like 10 percent. Even me, I was surprised when they told me,” Amoah said. “There were rumours that it was because of me that André came here.
“Of course, maybe in a small way; he watched videos of me when I played for NAC, and there is a lot of respect for what I did here.”
Amoah explained that Ayew’s decision was influenced more by the club’s profile and its history of Ghanaian players, rather than any personal persuasion. He added that NAC Breda’s coaching staff conducted their own due diligence before completing the deal.
“They asked me if he was fit because they had seen his training videos, sometimes with his dad,” Amoah noted. “If you ask me the role I played, not much. I think the coaches did their work.”
Ayew is expected to integrate fully with the squad in the coming days as NAC Breda turn their attention to a challenging Eredivisie fixture against league leaders PSV, a match that will offer an early test of the Ghanaian’s readiness and impact.
