PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2018 (Columbus): Mohammed Abu has made four regular-season appearances for Crew SC this season. He came in as a substitute in the 71st minute of a home match against D.C. United (March 24), in the 57th minute against the Chicago Fire (April 7), and in the 73rd minute at D.C. United (April 14). Abu made his 25th regular-season appearance with Crew SC in a road match against Seattle Sounders FC (May 5) when he came in as a substitute for Ricardo Clark in the 66th minute. Abu did not make an appearances in matches from a a road match against Los Angeles FC (June 23) after being listed as questionable with a left thigh injury. He missed a home match against Real Salt Lake (June 30) and a road match against the LA Galaxy (July 7) after being listed as out with a left thigh injury. The following week, he missed a road match against New York City FC (July 14) after being listed as questionable with a left hamstring injury. On August 10, Abu was sent on loan to Norwegian first-division side Valerenga Fotball. While on loan with Valerenga Fotball, Abu has made three appearances (all starts). He started in matches against Tromso IL (August 19), Brann (August 26) and Liliestrom (September 2).
2017 (Columbus): Abu made 20 appearances (14 starts) this season, all coming at center midfield, and recorded one assist. He made his regular-season team debut as a starter in the Opening Match against the Chicago Fire (March 4). Abu missed a home contest against Atlanta United FC (July 1), while on international duty with Ghana. He started in an international friendly match at home against Eintracht Frankfurt (July 14). Abu registered his first MLS career assist, starting in the home match against the LA Galaxy (August 23). He started in a home match against FC Dallas (August 26), earning a spot on MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the Week for his performance. Abu made three appearances (two starts) as a center midfielder in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.
2014-2016 (Stromsgodset IF): During his second stint with the club, Abu made 101 appearances (95 starts). After being acquired on a permanent transfer by Stromsgodset IF ahead of the 2014 season, he made his season debut in a home opening match against IK Start (March 30, 2014). He made his first assist since returning to the team in a 10-2 away victory against Drammen FK in a Norwegian Football Cup match (April 24, 2014). Abu scored his first goal since returning to the club during a Norwegian Football Cup match against FK Tonsberg, scoring the fifth goal in a 5-0 win (April 22, 2015).
2012-2013 (Rayo Vallecano/FC Lorient): Abu was sent on loan to Rayo Vallecano ahead of the 2012-2013 La Liga season. He made three appearances (three starts) for Rayo Vallecano, including two Fourth Round matches in the Copa del Rey, against UD Palmeras (). Halfway through the 2012-2013 season, Abu was loaned to FC Lorient of Ligue 1, where he made eight appearances (seven starts). His Coupe de France debut came in a Round of 16 victory against Stade Brest 29, en route to helping the club reach the semi-finals of the Coupe de France (February 27).
2010-2012 (Stromsgodset IF): Abu made 51 appearances (46 starts) during his first stint with Stromsgodset IF. He made his debut in a home match against Molde FK (September 13 2010). Abu made an appearance in the Norwegian Football Cup semi-final (September 22 2010), helping the club win the Norwegian Football Cup that season. He scored his first goal for Stromsgodsett IF in a 1-1 draw against Sogndal IL (October 16, 2011). Played against Atletico Madrid for 180 minutes over the course of two legs in an UEFA Europa League Qualifier. (July 28, 2011; August 4, 2011).
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
As of January 24, 2017
At the international level, Abu has earned three caps for the Ghana National Team, making his debut in a 2-0 win against Sudan in an Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier (October 8, 2011). He was among those called up for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and made two appearances (one start) during the tournament, including starting for Ghana in the Third Place Match against Mali (February 11, 2012).
Columbus Crew SC acquired midfielder Mohammed Abu as a Special Discovery Player on January 24, 2017.
Name: Mohammed Abu (mo-HAHM-ed AH-boo)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 150
Born: November 14, 1991 in Accra, Ghana
Hometown: Namasa, Ghana
Citizenship: Ghana
Acquired: Acquired as a Special Discovery Player on January 24, 2017.
Previous Experience: Stromsgodset IF (2014-2016), FC Lorient (2013), Rayo Vallecano (2012-13), Stromsgodset IF (2010-2012)
PERSONAL
Abu’s parents are Abubakar and Lahmatou. His wife is from Ghana, but she has lived in Columbus for a while; they have a son Mubarak. Abu’s favorite type of food is Ghanaian food. His other hobbies include playing volleyball and golf. He previously played alongside Crew SC forward Ola Kamara while at Stromsgodset IF from 2010-2012. Growing up, Abu looked up to several midfielders, among them Spain’s Xabi Alonso, Netherland’s Nigel de Jong and fellow Ghanaian Michael Essien. He would love to visit Italy. He speaks two languages: English and Twi.
