John Mensah (born 29 November 1982) is a Ghanaian footballer who plays for Sunderland as a defender, on loan from Olympique Lyonnais for the 2009–10 season.
Born in Obuasi, Ghana, Mensah is a product of the scouting system in Ghana that identifies talented youngsters long before they enter any formal structures and exports them to potential fame and fortune in Europe.
A centre-half by choice, Mensah is also adept at left-back and has played in bo...
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John Mensah (born 29 November 1982) is a Ghanaian footballer who plays for Sunderland as a defender, on loan from Olympique Lyonnais for the 2009–10 season.
Born in Obuasi, Ghana, Mensah is a product of the scouting system in Ghana that identifies talented youngsters long before they enter any formal structures and exports them to potential fame and fortune in Europe.
A centre-half by choice, Mensah is also adept at left-back and has played in both positions for his national side, also captaining the team on occasions. His physique has earned him the moniker the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’, and Mensah was considered a certainty to be named in the Black Stars’ squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The defender’s first foreign adventure was as a teenager, when he moved to Italy to join Bologna. The Serie A outfit recognised his talent, but also saw that his was potential in its rawest form and, as such, loaned him to Swiss side AC Bellinzona, where it was hoped that he would hone his talents....
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