Club Career



At just fifteen years old in 2019, Fatawu began his journey in professional football with Steadfast FC, a club based in Tamale, competing in Zone One of the Division One League, Ghana's second-tier football league. Despite his young age, he quickly made an impact, showcasing his exceptional talent by scoring eight goals and providing five assists in 13 matches during his debut season. However, his burgeoning career faced an unexpected hurdle as the league was suspended due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.


Undeterred by the challenges posed by the pandemic, Fatawu returned for his second season with Steadfast FC even more determined to excel. His performance skyrocketed as he netted 12 goals, assisted in 12 others, and earned eight Man of the Match awards in just 14 league appearances. Such remarkable displays didn't go unnoticed, as European clubs, including Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen, and Sporting CP, began expressing interest in acquiring his services following his outstanding performance at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in 2021.


In October 2021, Fatawu embarked on a loan spell with Dreams FC until 2022. This move coincided with his recognition by The Guardian as one of the standout talents in their "Next Generation 2021" feature, where he was hailed as arguably the best African prospect of his generation. However, it was Sporting CP that ultimately secured his signature in April 2022, signing him to a lucrative five-year contract with a staggering release clause of 60 million euros, thereby putting an end to the transfer speculation surrounding his future.



Sporting CP

Fatawu's transition to Sporting CP wasn't without its intricacies. Although his official signing took place in April 2022, he had been training with the club's U-23 side since February. Due to his age and ongoing season commitments, he couldn't be registered with the first team until the 2022–23 season. Consequently, he honed his skills with the B team until he became eligible to represent the senior side, demonstrating his patience and dedication to his craft.


As the 2022–23 season approached, Fatawu's inclusion in the first team's pre-season training and tour highlighted his growing importance within the squad. His involvement in pre-season fixtures, including a notable debut against Royale Union, showcased his potential to contribute to Sporting CP's campaign. Subsequently, on 7 August 2022, he earned a spot on the bench for the team's first match of the season and eventually made his debut in a 3–0 victory over Rio Ave, further solidifying his presence in the senior squad.



Loan to Leicester City

However, Fatawu's journey took an unexpected turn on 31 August 2023, when he joined EFL Championship side Leicester City on a season-long loan from Sporting CP. His debut for the club came just three days later, as he made a 54th-minute substitute appearance in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Hull City. Despite the initial setback, Fatawu quickly showcased his prowess by scoring his first goal for Leicester City in a commendable 3-1 away victory against Swansea City on 21 October.



Youth Team

Fatawu's journey in international football began in 2018 when he represented Ghana's national under-17 team, managed by Karim Zito, in the WAFU Zone B U-17 Cup of Nations. Despite the team's loss in the final to arch-rivals Nigeria, Fatawu's talent was evident as he played a pivotal role throughout the tournament. His leadership qualities were further recognized when he captained the Ghana U-17 team in 2020, participating in various qualifying matches, including the 2021 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations qualifiers and the 2020 WAFU Zone B U-17 Cup of Nations.



Senior Team

Following his stellar performances at the U-20 level, Fatawu received his maiden call-up to the senior national team, the Black Stars, in March 2021. Under the guidance of coach C.K. Akonnor, he showcased his potential during qualifying matches for the Africa Cup of Nations against South Africa and São Tomé and Príncipe. Despite his young age, Fatawu's impact was undeniable, as he earned praise for his exceptional free-kick goal against Uzbekistan while representing the Black Stars' B Team. Subsequently, he made his senior team debut in September 2021, scoring his first goal against Nicaragua and cementing his place as one of Ghana's brightest talents on the international stage.