Denis Odoi

Denis Frimpong Odoi (born 27 May 1988) is a professional footballer who plays for Belgian First Division A side Club Brugge.

A right-footed full-back who can play on both sides, he is nicknamed the Professor because of his maturity and discipline on the field of play.

Born in Belgium, and a one-time representative of the Belgium national team, he represents the Ghana national team.

Born in Leuven, Belgium, Odoi began playing football when he was five years old, leading to join K. Stade Leuven and played there for five years.

When Odoi was ten years old, he moved to join Anderlecht.

However, Odoi said: "When I was almost eleven, Anderlecht came to get me. That was great, but the transfers from Kessel-Lo, where I live, to Anderlecht and back were not without obstacles, I remember. Traveling went a lot smoother when Genk incorporated me a few years later."

During his time at Genk, he met Steven Defour and became good friends with him.

After a year spent at Genk, Odoi joined Oud-Heverlee Leuven when he was eighteen years old and joined the club, citing "a lot more chance to play there".

Odoi progressed through the ranks at Oud-Heverlee Leuven and played for a reserve team for two years.

Following this, he was promoted to the first team and made his Oud-Heverlee Leuven debut on 28 April 2007 against Royal Antwerp, starting a match and played 80 minutes before being substituted, in a 1–0 win.

Odoi went on to make four appearances for the club.

At the start of the 2007–08 season, Odoi appeared in the first two matches before being substituted at half time during a 2–1 loss against Tubize on 30 August 2007and didn't play for two months.

It wasn't until on 14 October 2007 when he returned to the starting line–up, in a 4–0 win against K.V. Kortrijk.

Odoi's return was short–lived when he played 71 minutes before being substituted, in a 4–0 loss against Overpelt-Lommel and didn't play for the next four matches.

He then returned to the starting line–up against Eupen on 18 November 2007, playing the whole game, in a 2–0 win.

Since returning to the starting line–up, Odoi became a first team regular for the side.

In the Round of 16 of Beker Van Belgie against Germinal Beerschot, he played 120 minutes and missed a penalty in the shootout, resulting in Oud-Heverlee Leuven's elimination.

Despite facing suspensions and injury, Odoi continued to remain in the first team for the rest of the 2007–08 season.

At the end of the 2007–08 season, he went on to make twenty–four appearances in all competitions.

At the start of the 2008–09 season, Odoi continued to remain in the first team for Oud-Heverlee Leuven.

He then scored two goals in two matches between 13 September 2008 and 21 September 2008 against K.V. Red Star Waasland and Olympic Club Charleroi Farciennes.

Odoi started in every match until he was suspended for one match for picking up five yellow cards.

Odoi returned to the starting line–up against Eupen on 22 November 2008 and helped the side win 2–1.

However, his return was short–lived when he was once again suspended.

Since returning from suspended, Odoi continued to regain his first team place for the side.

At the end of the 2008–09 season, Odoi went on to make thirty–five appearances and scoring three times in all competitions.

It wasn't until on 1 April 2009 when he scored his third goal of the season, in a 2–1 loss against R.F.C. Tournai.

In July 2009, Odoi left Oud-Heverlee Leuven to join Sint-Truiden, signing a three–year contract with the club.

Odoi made his Sint-Truiden debut, starting the whole game, in a 2–2 draw against Standard Liège in the opening game of the season.

He then started in the next matches for the side, playing in the left–back position.

This lasted until Odoi received a red card for a second bookable offence in the 83rd minute, in a 1–0 win against K.V. Kortrijk on 19 September 2009.

After serving a one match suspension, he returned to the starting line–up, in a 1–0 win against Westerlo on 26 September 2009.

Once again, Odoi was sent–off for the second time this season, for a straight red card in the 82nd minute, losing 4–1 against Germinal Beerschot on 7 November 2009.

After serving a one match suspension, he returned to the starting line–up, and helped Sint-Truiden kept a clean sheet, in a 2–0 win against Standard Liège on 29 November 2009.

Despite being suspended twice, Odoi continued to regain his first team place for the side, rotating in the left–back position and midfield position.

Despite facing suspension, he helped Sint-Truiden finished fifth place to qualify for the Championship play–offs.

At the end of the 2009–10 season, Odoi made thirty–nine appearances in all competitions.

During a 3–1 loss against Cercle Brugge on 21 March 2010, Odoi was subjected of ‘Odoi janet' chant from the supporters of the opposition team.

Odoi helped the side finish fourth place in the Championship play–offs, resulting in them qualifying for the Testmatches Europa League.

However in the Testmatches Europa League, he played in both legs against Genk, as Sint-Truiden lost 5–3 on aggregate.