Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu reveals he rejected Olympique Lyon after 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup

Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has revealed he could easily have signed for Olympique Lyon in the aftermath of his success with the Black Satellites in 2009.

The 24-year-old was part of a golden generation of Ghanaian players that moved onto greater heights after the historic success of the Ghana U20 team in clinching the 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup in Egypt.

The then Asante Kotoko loanee converted the final kick that saw Ghana beat Brazil in a dramatic penalty shootout on that memorable night in Cairo as the Black Satellites hoisted the World U20 trophy.

Like Badu, most of the players in that Black Satellites' squad were made offers from top European clubs after their impressive exploits in 2009.

Olympique Lyon apparently was one of three top clubs that wanted to sign Badu but the move to the French giants fell through as advisers of the Ghana midfielder opted for the offer from Italian club Udinese.

“When I came back from the 2009 [U20] World Cup, Olympique Lyon called my agent,” Badu revealed to Metro TV.

“Lyon was one of my dream clubs. Sampdoria called, Udinese called.

“I consulted Alpha [his manager] and he told me Udinese will be the best for me because some Ghanaian players had played there. I have never regretted this decision.”

Badu has since played for Udinese in the Serie-A but is now being linked to moves elsewhere.