From streets in Ghana to pitch at Holt, Kenneth Dagadu grows into soccer standout for Rams

HOLT - Kenneth Dagadu’s early experiences with soccer involved playing on the streets with his friends in Ghana.

The streets were the only way Dagadu could play the sport because of the finances needed to play on the academy circuit, which was reserved for the best players.

It wasn’t until Dagadu left Ghana and arrived in the Lansing area as a 12-year old with his father and two sisters that he got his first taste of playing soccer on an actual team. And in his first game playing with the Lansing Soccer Club, Dagadu scored a goal.

The success on the pitch has continued since.

The last few years that success has come with the Holt varsity soccer program where Dagadu has become a key component for the Rams.

But just as important has been the new life he's found in the Lansing area. Dagadu, a senior forward, said it was a dream for him to come to the United States for the chance to get a better education despite being away from his mom and other family in Ghana.

“Not a lot of people where I’m from get this opportunity,” Dagadu said. “I’m thankful.”

Dagadu, who was voted the latest LSJ high school athlete of the week, has also relished his opportunities on the pitch since arriving in the U.S. This fall, Dagadu has built off a successful junior season where he was one of the top scorers for a Rams’ squad that won CAAC Blue and Division 1 district titles and reached a regional final.

Dagadu has taken on more of a leadership role in his senior year for the Division 1 No. 15-ranked Rams and has 11 goals and 13 assists entering next week's district semifinals. He has been one of the top playmakers for Holt and assisted on its lone goal in an upset of top-ranked Troy Athens over the weekend. Dagadu has also had big goals in penalty kick situations recently, including in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Caledonia in a district opener.

Holt soccer coach Aaron Smith has enjoyed seeing Dagadu's growth over his years in the varsity program.

"He's become a leader," Smith said. "Since freshman year, he's been with the varsity program, but being from another country and learning the language and getting much better at it and coming out of his shell, it's nice seeing him leading other young men. Last year he could pop up and do things, but we had Carter Colligan and Nic Campos and some other seniors who were the leaders. 

"This year there's no where to hide. He's been one of the captains and wants the ball in the big time. He'll mark people when he needs to and will play (where) he needs to. It's fun watching his progression from a freshman to a senior."

Dagadu said he's focused just on playing his role on the pitch and he's relished being able to make some plays in big games and help the Rams to success.

"It's my last year, so I kind of wanted to help my team win something and go farther than last year," Dagadu said. "We went to the regional finals and we lost, so that kind of pushed me to work this summer a lot with my club coaches. I just wanted to come in and help my team go a lot farther than we did last year."

Recent LSJ athlete of week winners:

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Portland's Aryan Virk seeing increased success in second season at top singles flight

Goals piling up, but winning main priority for Grand Ledge's Camden Schuchaskie

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.