Early Struggles, Mentored by Essien: Simon Adingra’s Journey

Understanding Simon Adingra goes beyond his heroics at the 2023 AFCON, where he shined in the final match against Nigeria. This article delves into the story of a boy recognized early on for his exceptional talent but who found himself in unfortunate circumstances. Originally from the Ivory Coast, Adingra once ended up stranded in the Benin Republic after being scammed by a man who promised to boost his career and take him to Europe. This tragic event occurred when Simon was just 12 years old. In his quest to pursue his European dreams, he was deceived by a coach, leading to a difficult and heartbreaking period in his childhood.

Long before he was scammed, Simon Adingra dreamt of following in the footsteps of Didier Drogba, the Chelsea legend who played a role in saving his country from further deaths during a civil war. Inspired by his idol, Adingra harbored the dream of one day playing in the Premier League. Before achieving that, he was mentored by the legendary Michael Essien, who imparted to him the resilience needed to overcome great challenges.

Adingra’s fortunes began to change when the Ghanaian football academy Right to Dream offered him a chance to go to Europe. Tragically, soon after his arrival and at a crucial moment when he needed to demonstrate his football skills, Adingra suffered a broken arm. This article recounts how Simon Adingra’s incredible spirit of resilience helped him overcome numerous challenges in his quest for stardom, ultimately leading him to triumph over his adversities and achieve his dreams.

Preamble:

In a nutshell, this article delves deeper than just Simon Adingra’s football stats. It uncovers significant moments from his childhood, his early passion for football, and the support he received from his Ivorian parents, including his father figure, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani. We’ll explore his below middle-class family background, his roots in Abobo, his relationship with his sister, and his current relationship status. Additionally, this article covers his Ivorian ethnicity, education, religion, lifestyle, personality traits, and more.

Our mission is to pique your interest in Simon Adingra’s biography, showcasing the journey of a footballer with an extraordinary background. To start, let’s present a photo gallery that captures his story from humble beginnings to achieving fame. From his early days as a young boy in Abobo to becoming a celebrated player mentored by the legendary Michael Essien, Adingra’s journey is truly remarkable.

While his senior teammates, Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March, take centre stage for Brighton, Adingra was always the patient type who would sit on the bench and wait for his moment. And when the opportunity to show his worth came, he wasted no time to become another headline act for Roberto De Zerbi’s side.

In our history of telling you African and Ivory Coast Football Stories, we found areas that haven’t been covered. The truth is, not many fans have read Simon Adingra’s Biography, which is super exciting. This is why we have decided to tell this story, which is about a boy from Yamoussoukro who found fame in football. Now, without taking further of your time, let’s get started.

Simon Adingra Childhood Story:

For starters, in his Biography reading, the Ivorian footballer bears the nickname; “The Swift Striker”. Simon Adingra was born on the 1st day of January 2002 in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast. His birthday coincides with that of notable footballers like Wilfried Zaha (LW), Gonzalo Montiel, Enock Mwepu, and Jack Wilshere, who all share this special New Year date.

Growing-Up Years:

Simon Adingra, the Ivorian professional footballer, was born and earlier raised in the city of Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast. This city is the home of the late Newcastle legend Cheick Tioté. Simon grew up alongside his sister, and he later spent his boyhood years in Abobo, a northern suburb of Abidjan.

Adingra’s upbringing was predominantly under the care of his mother, who has been the more publicly visible parent in his life, as he and his sister were primarily raised by her. Simon’s journey in football started in Abobo, a district of Abidjan, where he was raised. As a child, he was immersed in street football, heavily influenced by Ivorian football legends. In his words;

When I was very little, I played in the street and i saw the big brothers like Didier Drogba and we wanted to be like them.

Simon Adingra Early Life:

The Speedstar, while growing up in Ivory Coast during the mid to late 2010s, experienced firsthand the rise of the nation’s football legends, including Salomon Kalou, Didier Drogba, Kolo and Yaya Toure. A defining moment that paved the way for Adingra’s football future occurred when Didier Drogba delivered a powerful speech that resonated with his country’s military and other armed groups fighting a civil war in Ivory Coast. This heartfelt appeal, captured on camera and shown below, played a crucial role in bringing about a ceasefire and the sudden end to the civil war in Ivory Coast.

Simon Adingra was just three years and nine months old in 2005 when Didier Drogba made his impactful intervention to halt the civil war in Ivory Coast. Even at that young age, Adingra already showed an aptitude for soccer. Drogba’s momentous plea came right after Ivory Coast qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he famously urged combatants to cease fighting. After the famous pea to combatants, begging them to lay down their arms, an immediate ceasefire and peace talks followed. From that day, football became the order of the day in Ivory Coast as almost every kid, including little Simon, aspired to be like Drogba.

Early Difficulties:

Truth be told, behind every resplendent smile that Simon Adingra puts on his face hides a painful story, which we’ll tell you. As a young teenager, aged 12, the quest to achieve his European dreams saw him leave his native Ivory Coast to the Benin Republic.

Adingra placed his trust in a football coach to guide his early career, but unfortunately, he was deceived and scammed by this individual. Left resourceless in Benin, he had to fend for himself before returning to Ivory Coast. There, he was discovered by the Ghanaian-based academy Right to Dream.

Selected by Right to Dream:

Simon Adingra, like many young kids, was greatly inspired by his country’s football legends. Aside from the influence of Didier Drogba, he naturally developed a talent for the sport and aspired to be a professional. As a young teenager, while participating in local football competitions, Simon had a pivotal moment. Excelling in a local contest, he was selected for a football project in Ghana, marking a significant step in his journey.

Adingra was chosen to join Right to Dream, an academy dedicated to nurturing the football aspirations of African boys. Situated in Accra, Ghana’s capital, Right to Dream was established in 1999 by Tom Vernon, former Manchester United’s head scout stationed in Africa. It focuses on children aged 9 to 18, helping them realize their football potential. Notably, players like Mohammed Kudus and Kamaldeen Sulemana have emerged from this program, which significantly aided their transition to European football.

Simon Adingra Family Background:

The Ivory Coast Left Winger hails from an Ivorian household with humble beginnings and humility to the core. Such humility is the reason why Simon Adingra is described by those who have managed him as a very likeable figure. Truth be told, you have to be a very special player, both in talent and character, to have the Bosses of your club wanting to travel to your hometown (Abobo) and get to know your family members. This is precisely what Micheal Essien and Didi Dramani did – all thanks to the quest to understand more about the humble beginnings of Adingra, a footballer from the great Abobo suburbs of Abidjan.

Michael Essien, as you already know, is pictured far left. It is pertinent to state that the man in the middle is not Simon Adingra’s Father. He is Mas-ud Didi Dramani, the Right to Dream Technical Director and a father figure. Both Football Greats were driven by a desire to understand Adingra’s humble beginnings in Abobo, Cote d’Ivoire.

As shown above, Mas-ud Didi Dramani and Michael Essien met with Adingra’s mother, including his sister. More so, they got accustomed to other family members during their visit to the player’s home town of Abidjan in Ivory Coast. Simon Adingra’s Father (his Biological Dad) wasn’t available to receive them for unknown reasons. This decision to know the Athlete’s family came at a time when young Simon had just made a massive milestone in his career. The milestone was no other than the activation of his European football dream. A time when the youngster witnessed his first European transfer from Right to Dream football club to Nordsjaelland, a club in Denmark.

Simon Adingra Family Origin:

Starting off, the Brighton Winger holds Cote d’Ivoire citizenships. Simon Adingra’s single nationality (Ivory Coast) implies both his parents hail from the West African country. As we took a look into the part of Ivory Coast he comes from, our research points to the popular town of Abobo.

Abobo, where Simon Adingra’s family comes from, is a northern suburb of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire’s capital. The town is one of the ten urban communes of Abidjan, and it is one of the most populated communes in the country, with about 1.3 million inhabitants. Pictured below, Abobo (Adingra’s hometown) is home to a famous railway station that connects the Ivory Coast to Burkina Faso.

The above town where Simon Adingra’s parents raised him was ridden with several violent clashes during the Ivorian Civil War. Many of the violent clashes in Abobo were between the security forces and civilians. Truth be told, Didier Drogba’s pivotal role in stopping the war prevented further destruction in this town, which is home to 1.3 million people.

Simon Adingra Ethnicity:

As a footballer from Abobo, a suburb of Abidjan in Ivory Coast, his ethnic background is linked to any of these three cultural groups. These groups are; Akan (the largest ethnic community in Ivory Coast), Krou and Mandé. However, in a more general perspective, Simon Adingra’s ethnicity is Ivorian because it reflects his national identity of the Ivory Coast.

Simon Adingra Education:

When he was little, the youngster knew someone who took him to a training centre where he did his football training. Simon Adingra attended a school near this football training centre. While he studied hard and strived to be a good student, he dedicated at least twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays) to attending football train at the centre. However, the most impactful time of Adingra’s education happened at Right to Dream.

The Speedy Winger’s choice of schooling was in line with his footballing aspirations. Our findings reveal that Simon Adingra’s education (during the bulk of his teenage years) was sponsored by Right to Dream Academy. The school is part of a community whose teachers were dedicated to expanding people’s understanding of excellence through football. Simon Adingra gathered pace at this learning institution located in Old Akrade in eastern Ghana. It is a three-hour drive from Accra, the capital city of the West African nation.

Simon Adingra Biography – Early Career Story:

After being scammed by a football coach and left frustrated, destiny finally came calling. Simon Adingra found his way to the prestigious Right to Dream after being scouted through a detection tournament. This was a tournament where thousands of young boys were mobilized, and only 18 were chosen each year. A lucky and hardworking Adingra was among the 18 that were chosen. Upon hearing the news, he packed his bags and travelled to Old Akrade in eastern Ghana, a three-hour drive from Ghana’s capital city of Accra.

A brief history of the cult that gave Adingra his ticket to Europe:

This football academy, Right to Dream, has an amazing history, which we’ll tell you. It began with a magic start in Ghana thanks to Tom Vernon, an ex-Manchester United scout in Africa and Helen, his girlfriend (now wife). Right to Dream began when this couple welcomed a group of talented boys to their home.

Tom and his girlfriend didn’t want the boys to leave their home immediately. So they provided them with a place to train, play football and dream. And from that humble beginning, the idea of Right to Dream Academy was born. These boys would go on to become the pioneers of the academy. An institution known as one of Africa’s best residential football academies. More than a decade into its inception, names like Simon Adingra joined Right to Dream.

The young kids who often find their way into Right to Dream were mostly from Ghana and the neighbouring Ivory Coast, as in the case of Adingra. In that football institution, all boys who get enrolled automatically become boarders. This implies that they go to school and still get the culture of doing the great things normal students would do while in the boarding school.

Early Routine:

Back then, as a normal routine, when Simon Adingra woke up, he took his bath. Then, he ate his breakfast and prepared for academic lessons, which often began by 7:30 am. The school then continues until 1:30 pm, which is closing time. After school closes, all young footballers have about three hours to have their launch and then rest. After resting, all attention is turned to football training. There are usually four days a week to two-hour intensive training sessions for all kids at Right To Dream. After these daily activities, dinner comes and then the boys are allowed to do their homework.

Road to Fame:

Joining an academy in Ghana where most students and teammates speak a different language is often a problem. Simon Adingra, who comes from Ivory Coast, a French-speaking country, faced this issue. Upon joining the academy, he swiftly began extra lessons. He was interested in improving his grasp of the English language. And that smoothly accompanied his fluency in French.

Like most intelligent footballers who graduated from the academy before him (the likes of Mohammed Kudus and others), Adingra thrived both on and off the pitch. He had an outstanding ability with the ball at his feet despite his inability to speak English fluently. Dramani, the former Technical Director of Right to Dream and the assistant coach for Ghana for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, said this about Simon Adingra;

At that time he joined, he couldn’t speak much English but Simon was quick to adapt. Everyone was quick to know his great personality. Simon is down to earth and not outspoken. Again, he gives his all on the pitch.

Guided by football coaches and teachers, Simon Adingra developed physically and mentally at the academy. Didi Dramani, the head of the club and Simon’s mentor noted that Adingra was one of the quickest to adapt to their environment. He rapidly grasped the club’s play style and mesmerised everyone with his natural football talent.

One of the notable moments in his years at Right to Dream came when his team defeated international rivals, the Nigerian TikiTaka Academy. By doing that, Adingra’s team won the Gothia Cup U17 trophy. By helping his team win this trophy, the youngster knew his European dreams were getting closer and closer.

Simon Adingra Biography – Rise to Fame Story:

Right to Dream’s growth turned the club into a breeding ground for developing the football dreams of African boys who aspired to play in Europe. Years after establishing the club, the owner, Tom Vernon (a former Manchester United scout), became the owner of The Danish club Nordsjaelland. By owning a European club based in Denmark, he paved the way for Right to Dream’s shining stars, such as Adingra, who got the opportunity to quickly achieve his journey to Europe.

For a footballer to successfully graduate from Right to Dream and get a transfer with the Danish side, Nordsjaelland, particular emphasis was placed on speed and intelligence. Before the transfer of Simon Adingra to Denmark, the Danish club Nordsjaelland had become the gateway to Europe for notable names like Mohammed Kudus and Kamaldeen Suleman. Young Adingra was glad to follow in the footsteps of the above-named Ghanaian footballers.

How Michael Essien Helped Adingra:

Surprisingly, Simon met a destiny helper just as he arrived at the Danish club. That person is no other than the Legendary Michael Essien. It would interest you to know that the former Chelsea Midfielder was a technical staff for Nordsjaelland. As luck would have it for Simon, his mentor, Essien, later rose to become the assistant manager of the Danish football club.

Being an African footballer from a humble background and new to travel outside the continent, Simon Adingra found adapting to Europe challenging. He leaned on his mentor, Michael Essien, for guidance in adjusting to the new football environment and his personal growth. Adingra consistently acknowledges Michael Essien’s role as a father figure in his early European career.

How Mas-Ud Didi Dramani helped Simon Adingra:

Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, the former Right to Dream Technical Director, also offered helping hands. Because he worked at Nordsjaelland in an assistant managerial capacity, Adingra had someone he could confide in. In fact, they both lived together in adjacent rooms in the club hotel at the early stages of Adingra’s stay in Denmark. The footballer stayed so close to Didi Dramani just after he arrived in Denmark for the first time.

Dramani remembered vividly how he helped Adingra through the setback of breaking his arm in training. In fact, it was his first training session with the Nordsjaelland’s first-team squad. The unfortunate injury happened just after he was promoted from the club’s under-19s to the senior team in the year 2020. Adingra’s hands got tangled with another guy’s hand, and he broke his arm. Reflecting on the role of a father figure, which he played, Dramani once revealed in an interview,

“I used to live with Simon in the club hotel with him in adjacent rooms. Because of his injury, he had his cast on, and I needed to prepare him mentally.

I kept telling him, ‘You’re going to be a great player, this is all about adapting and knowing about how to use your hands once you are playing. Your speed will always prevail, so just keep working at it’.

I had to be with him in his room, get his food for him, but I told him, ‘Look, I’m very positive you will make it’.”

England Journey:

Former Brighton Boss Graham Potter has a great history with Danish football. Four months before he left Brighton to join Chelsea, he pushed for the club’s acquisition of Adingra on a four-year contract. Because of the availability of Leandro Trossard and Kaoru Mitoma as two senior left-wing options, Brighton decided to loan Adingra to its sister club, Union SG, in Belgium. Union SG is a top-flight Belgian club co-owned by Brighton chairman Tony Bloom.

Simon Adingra achieved a meteoric rise with Union Saint-Gilloise. His impressive display and 11 goals helped RUSG to qualify for a Champions League draw. Technically, he’s very strong, and he (at that time) was strictly following the footsteps of Mohammed Kudus, who was thriving with Ajax. After so many magical moments, Brighton Boss Roberto De Zerbi decided to recall Simon Adingra from loan to replace Leandro Trossard, who left for Arsenal.

The Seagull Rise:

Simon Adingra turned out to be Brighton’s next Mitoma, and some fans even argued that his gameplay was in a league of his own. He watched the Japanese winger a lot and then accepted to become Mitoma’s challenger. Premier League Ready Adingra saw himself as a challenger who was ready to be patient on the bench, and he would gladly play any time he got the opportunity. When a huge opportunity finally came, the boy from Abobo performed this miracle on the football pitch.

Indeed, the words of those who trained him have been proven right. Dramani once said that in the Premier League environment, all Adingra needed was to get on the pitch and then come up with something special, which he has done. His 2023 call-up to the Ivory Coast senior national team confirms his rapid rise in football, and it is proof that Simon is fast becoming a world-class Athlete. The rest, as we say, is now history.

Love Life:

His remarkable ascent in European football after his transfer from Africa’s leading football academy, Right to Dream, signifies his destined rise to prominence. Given the adage that every successful Ivorian footballer playing abroad has a glamorous partner, we pose the ultimate question:

Who is Simon Adingra Dating?

This Article Explores: Who is Simon Adingra’s Current Partner?

At the time of this biography, the Left Winger is fully focused on his football career, maintaining a distance from public relationships. Simon’s social media activity reflects his dedication to his professional goals, without sharing details about a girlfriend or wife. Some fans speculate that he might be in a relationship but choose to keep it private to avoid distractions during this critical early stage of his career.

Personality Facts:

Who is Simon Adingra?

On the football pitch, Simon Adingra displays the intensity of a wolf hunting its prey, with the ball as his target. Off the field, however, he is a gentle lamb known for his kindness and gratitude. Simon avoids trouble, makes wise choices about where to go, and is known for his grounded, calm demeanour.

Simon Adingra Lifestyle:

Contrary to many footballers who change with fame and wealth, Adingra remains dedicated to a football-centric lifestyle. Instead of indulging in typical leisure activities like jet skiing or speed boating, he brings his soccer ball to the seaside. There, he plays until sunset, rejuvenating his inner strength and demonstrating his deep passion for football.

During holidays, Simon Adingra enjoys sightseeing. He appreciates visiting places with architectural wonders and scenic destinations where he can relax and get ready for football activities after his vacation. Earning £651,000 yearly with Brighton (as of 2023), he spends his income wisely and avoids extravagance.

Simon Adingra Family Life:

To have allowed him to leave his hometown in Ivory Coast to pursue his future at Right to Dream, it is clear that his parents understood what he wanted early on in life. Today, Simon is a celebrated footballer not only among his family circle but the whole of Abobo, the northern suburb of Abidjan, where he was raised. Now, let’s unveil facts about members of his household.

Simon Adingra Mother:

When Essien and Didi Dramani decided to visit Simon Adingra’s mother in Ivory Coast after his transfer to Nordsjælland, she experienced one of her proudest moments. Unlike some mothers who might hesitate to let their young sons leave Ivory Coast for Ghana to pursue a football career, Adingra’s mother supported his decision. She was not a hindrance to Simon’s Right to Dream call but a guiding force, leading both him and his sister on the right path with her love. Adingra’s mother is a fulfilled woman, proudly living her dreams through her son’s achievements.

While at Right to Dream, Simon Adingra could visit his family, including his mum and sister, every three months. These visits lasted for a month before he returned to the academy. Adingra has admitted that this arrangement was challenging but necessary for his football career.

About Simon Adingra Father:

Media coverage has focused more on Simon Adingra’s mother than his father, leading fans to wonder about his dad’s role in his life. There’s limited information available about his father, and Simon rarely discusses him with the media. While we cannot make assumptions, it’s likely that Adingra’s father, wherever he may be, wishes the best for his son.

About Simon Adingra Siblings:

It is a confirmed fact that the Ivorian Winger didn’t spend his childhood as the only child of his parents. Simon Adingra has a sister, and she was fully present when Michael Essien and Mas-ud Didi Dramani visited their family some years back. While there’s limited information about her, one thing is certain: Simon’s sister is one of his biggest supporters back in Ivory Coast.

Relatives:

Similar to Kudus, Simon Adingra has a strong bond with his extended family. One of these persons is his grandmother, who gives him a reason he often misses his home in Ivory Coast. While there’s no detailed documentation on each relative, it’s clear that they are among the most devoted supporters in his Ivorian fanbase.

Untold Facts:

In the final section of Simon Adingra’s Bio, we’ll unveil truths you might not know about him. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Salary Breakdown:

Simon Adingra’s contract with Brighton, signed on June 24, 2022, grants him a weekly salary of £12,500. Annually, this amounts to £651,000. In Ivorian currency, this equals approximately 487,674,381 XOF.

Comparing his Brighton Salary with those of his teammates:

Comparing Simon Adingra’s earnings at Brighton with those of his teammates reveals a significant disparity. Teammates like Joao Pedro, Joel Veltman, Pervis Estupinan, and Solly March each earn £50,000 per week. While Simon earns more than Julio Enciso, who makes £10,000 weekly, he earns less than Tariq Lamptey, Evan Ferguson, and Billy Gilmour, who have weekly salaries of £35,000, £30,000, and £25,000, respectively.

How Rich is the Footballer from Abobo?

In the northern suburb of Abidjan, where Simon Adingra’s Parents raised him, the highest average salary for a worker is about 592,595 XOF monthly. It would take such a worker approximately 5.7 years to match what Adingra earns in a month with Brighton.

FIFA Profile:

Adingra’s performance in Brighton’s 2023/2024 season is massive. It highlights his exceptional movement on the pitch. Divisions of that include his acceleration, sprint speed, agility, and balance. However, these abilities are not adequately reflected in his 2023 FIFA ratings, suggesting a need for an update. Adingra merits a rating improvement akin to what players like Anthony Gordon and Mykhailo Mudryk enjoy at the time of writing.

EndNote:

Simon Adingra arrived in the world on the 1st of January, 2002, to Ivorian parents in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast. Simon and his sister were raised in Abobo, a suburb of Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire. Inspired by legendary Ivorian footballers like Didier Drogba, Simon aspired to become a professional player. Despite being scammed by a coach at 12, he persevered and eventually got noticed by Right to Dream.

Simon Adingra’s quest to achieve his European football dreams began with the Right To Dream Academy in Ghana. The academy, founded by former Man United scout Tom Vernon and his wife, Helen, has been a breeding ground for developing the aspirations of African boys. Adingra joins the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Kamaldeen Sulemana, who are notable graduates from the Ghanaian-based academy. At the academy, Simon and his teammates beat Nigerian side TikiTaka Academy to win the Gothia Cup U17 trophy.

Didi Dramani, who was Right To Dream’s head of football, cared for Adingra while he was at Right to Dream. As luck would have it, Dramani was also by his side when the youngster moved to Europe. He occupied the role of an Assistant Manager for Nordsjaelland. Together with Michael Essien (a member of Nordsjaelland’s technical staff), who also worked at the Danish club, he took Simon Adingra under his wing, helping him stabilize in Europe.

Senior career Rise:

The Ivorian played for the Nordsjælland’s under-19s before joining the club’s first team. Despite a disappointing start to his senior career, where he broke his arm, Simon found a way to get back to his best. His gameplay caught the attention of Graham Potter, who signed him at Brighton before he departed to Chelsea. After an initial loan move to Union SG, he found himself in the good books of Roberto de Zerbi, who initiated his Brighton re-call.

At Brighton, Adingra learned that even if you do well, you still have to wait for a playing opportunity. He followed the Brighton model while he waited to get game time. And that happened whenever Karou Mitoma was unavailable. When the opportunity finally came, Adingra made the most of it. He scored goals that were worthy of him a claim in Brighton’s first eleven.

Without a doubt, Simon Adingra’s success with Brighton is a source of inspiration to many. Especially the more than 100 boys at the Right to Dream academy in Ghana. He, together with Mohamed Kudus, are now seen as the pride of football in the academy.

With his build as a very aggressive fighter, Adingra has seen success internationally. He is now able to establish himself as a vital member of the Ivory Coast senior national team. At the club level, he joins youngsters, the likes of Jan Paul van Hecke and Jack Hinshelwood, etc, who are taking Brighon to the next level.

Appreciation Note:

Thank you for taking the time to read our version of Simon Adingra’s Biography. We care about accuracy and fairness in our continuous quest to deliver you African Football Stories, as we have done in the case of the Ivorian left-winger.

Please reach out to us (via comment) if you find anything that doesn’t look right in this memoir about the Ivory Coast starlet. Also, tell us what you think about Simon, a Baller who took no time to get fully settled with Brighton and Premier League life.

Aside from Simon Adingra’s biography, we’ve got other great football stories for you to read. Surely, the life Histories of these African footballers, Lyn Foster and Ibrahim Sangaré, will excite your appetite for football reading.