Ghanaian defender Umar Ali has embarked on a new phase of his career after completing a move to Asante Kotoko, bringing the 22-year-old back into the Ghana Premier League following his stint in the United Arab Emirates.
Ali put pen to paper with the Kumasi giants on 25 August 2026, committing his future to the club until 30 June 2028. His arrival strengthens the options available to Asante Kotoko on the left side of defence as the club builds towards the new season.
A left-footed defender by trade, Ali is most comfortable at left-back. Standing at 1.77m, he offers both positional versatility and overseas experience to a Kotoko squad preparing for another demanding domestic campaign.
His journey to Kumasi has been shaped largely by his development in the UAE. Ali came through the youth ranks at FC Baniyas before making the step into senior football, having joined the club’s Under-17 setup in July 2024.
🗣️ First words from our new left-back, Umar Ali. #UnitedinHeritageDrivenbyExcellence pic.twitter.com/JJxbLdoGIO
— Asante Kotoko SC – 2X CAF CL Winners🥇 (@AsanteKotoko_SC) August 25, 2026
He subsequently broke into the senior fold, making appearances in UAE domestic competitions. The defender featured twice in the UAE Pro League and made two further appearances in the UAE League Cup, accumulating 115 minutes in the latter competition.
While his senior spell in the UAE did not yield a goal or assist, it provided Ali with an introduction to competitive first-team football and experience outside Ghana.
His association with Baniyas came to an end on 1 July 2025, leaving him unattached before his return to Ghana and eventual agreement with Asante Kotoko.
Now, more than a year after becoming a free agent, Ali has found his next destination with one of Ghana’s most decorated clubs. The two-year agreement keeps him at Asante Kotoko through June 2028 and gives him the opportunity to establish himself in the Ghanaian top flight.
