By: Kwame Bediako
Kamaldeen Sulemana has expressed his gratitude for the chance to play for Atalanta and praised coach Ivan Juric as the ideal mentor for his growth. The 23-year-old Ghanaian joined the Italian club last summer on a permanent transfer from Southampton after the English team’s relegation from the Premier League.
Juric, who previously coached Southampton, played a key role in bringing Sulemana to Bergamo. Sulemana has made an impressive start to his Atalanta career, scoring two goals and providing an assist in six Serie A appearances this season.
Reflecting on his performance, he told Gazzetta, “I didn’t expect to start this well. I wanted to show everyone my value, first and foremost, to Atalanta.”
He highlighted the positive atmosphere at the club and emphasized his determination to keep evolving now that opponents are more familiar with his style.
Speaking about Juric, Sulemana described him as “the perfect coach for me, both tactically and technically. He’s a teacher, and I’m a student. I trust him and always want to improve,” Sulemana affirmed.
Their strong player-coach relationship has been pivotal for his success on the pitch.
Sulemana also shared insights into his personal background and unique jersey choice, opting to wear “Kamaldeen” rather than his surname.
He explained, “In our culture, if my father and I are sitting at a table and someone calls ‘Sulemana’ they’re referring to him, not me. It’s a form of respect.”
He spoke affectionately about his family, noting his brothers also play professional football in Ghana and Denmark. Under contract until 2029 with an option to extend, Sulemana has quickly transitioned from a relegated Premier League player to a Serie A and Champions League competitor.
He summed up his mindset by saying, “I firmly believe in daily work and in the fact that one should never give up,” highlighting his commitment to thriving in Italy’s demanding tactical league.
