Abdul Majeed Waris (born 19 September 1991) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Ligue 1 club Valenciennes, currently on loan from Spartak Moscow in the Russian Premier League, and the Ghanaian national team.
Born in Tamale, Majeed started his career at the Ghanaian Right to Dream Academy when he was twelve. He moved to England and joined Hartpury College where he would go on to feature in the reserves side at Forest Green Rovers.
BK Häcken
In October 2009, he signed a four-year contract with Swedish Allsvenskan side BK Häcken for an undisclosed fee. He made his début in March 2010 as a substitute for Dominic Chatto, in a 4–2 home win against Trelleborgs FF. In May 2012, he netted his first hat-trick, scoring five goals, in a 6–0 home win against IFK Norrköping. As a result, he became the first player in Allsvenskan to score five goals in one match in the 21st century. He also became the first Ghanaian to score five goals in single top-flight game in Europe as well as becoming the leading goalscorer in the Allsvenskan with 12 goals in nine games. In conclusion of the Allsvenskan season, Majeed was named the Swedish Premier League's player of the year, which GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi quoted: "His achievements have brought honour to our country."
His performance at Häcken earned him a transfer speculation by being linked with Bundesliga clubs, such as Werder Bremen, Hamburg, Saint-Étienne, Catania and Arsenal.
Spartak Moscow
In November 2012, Majeed was transferred to Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee. He made his RFPL debut on 10 March 2013, coming on as an 82nd minute substitute in Spartak's 3–1 win over FC Terek Grozny. However, his first team chance at Spartak Moscow was limited, due to the dominance of strikers, such as Emmanuel Emenike, Yura Movsisyan, Artyom Dzyuba and Ari.
He scored his first PFPL goal on 8 December 2013, in a 1-0 away victory over FC Rostov, scoring on the 88th minute. After scoring his first goal, Majeed was voted the Russian Premier League player of the week. Following the start of the winter break, Majeed want to leave the club, citing earning a first team place in the World Cup.
Valenciennes (loan)
In January 2014, he was loaned to Ligue 1 club Valenciennes, until 30 June 2014. Upon the move, Majeed received number twenty-nine shirt. Majeed made his debut for the club and scored his first goal for the club, in a 3-2 win over Bastia on 14 January 2014. As a result on his debut, Majeed was named Goal.com Ghana Player of the Week on 14 January 2014. After scoring twice in six appearance, Majeed scored twice on 22 February 2014, in a 2-2 draw against Sochaux. Majeed would score five times in four consecutive games.
After series of Valenciennes defeat which left the club relegated to Ligue 2, Majeed was in tears because of this. Initially aiming to score eleven goals, Majeed would went on to score nine goals in his loan spell at Valenciennes. Despite the relegation, Majeed expressed desire to stay in France by making the move a permanent one. Majeed would return to Spartak Moscow, but hopes that the club will bounce back to Ligue 1.
International career
Majeed was called up to the Ghana squad against Chile in February 2012, replacing the both injured André and Jordan Ayew. He came on as a substitute for Richard Mpong, as Ghana earned a 1–1 away draw at the PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. He scored the third goal in Ghana's 4–0 in World Cup Qualifying against Sudan on 24 March 2013 in Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. He also scored a goal against Egypt when Ghana defeated Egypt 6–1 in Kumasi in the first leg of the final World Cup qualifier.
In 2014, Majeed named a provisional 26-man squad in the 2014 FIFA World Cup by Ghana manager James Kwesi Appiah.
Personal life
Majeed is a Muslim, and prays Salat before and after every game.