Former Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has taken a new step in his football journey, returning home to join Ghana Premier League side Aduana FC as their International Relations Manager.

The 34-year-old ex-Black Stars midfielder was officially unveiled on Wednesday, 28 January, during a training session with the Dormaa-based club, marking his first major administrative role since retiring from professional football.

In his new position, Agyemang-Badu is expected to help strengthen player development pathways, improve international exposure for the club’s talents and use his extensive football network to forge strategic partnerships beyond Ghana’s borders.

Addressing players, coaches and management, the former Udinese and Hellas Verona midfielder expressed appreciation to Aduana’s leadership, particularly club owner Nana Agyemang Badu II, for the opportunity to contribute to the club’s future.

“I am here to help the club succeed,” he said. “What I know about football is that when someone invests in the game, there must be a return. We need strong structures and quality that can sell itself.”

Agyemang-Badu stressed the importance of building sustainable systems that reduce reliance on constant financial support from ownership, arguing that Aduana must position itself as a club capable of attracting opportunities on the global market.

“It’s not always about going back to the owner for support,” he added. “We have to deliver quality, and that quality should open doors. My job is to create links not just using the ones I already have, but building new ones too. We need to sell the name Aduana.”

The appointment is seen as a strategic move by the two-time Ghana Premier League champions, who hope Agyemang-Badu’s experience at the highest level of European and international football will translate into long-term growth both on and off the pitch.

Aduana FC return to league action this weekend when they host FC Samartex in their Matchday 21 fixture at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park, with renewed optimism following the former Black Stars midfielder’s arrival.