PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joseph Tetteh Anang |
| Date of Birth | 08/06/2000 (Age: 26) |
| Place of Birth | Teshie, Accra, Ghana |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Height | 1.90 m / 6 ft 3 in |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #94 |
| Current Club | St Patrick’s Athletic |
| Previous Clubs | West Ham United, Stevenage (loan), Derby County (loan) |
| International Caps | 1+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | November 2026 |
The Frozen Moment
The World Cup squad announcement sent ripples through Dublin. June 2026. Ghana’s 26-man roster for the tournament in North America was revealed, and among the names was Joseph Anang—the first active St Patrick’s Athletic player ever to be called up to a World Cup.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper, on loan from West Ham United, had established himself as the Saints’ first-choice shot-stopper. His consistent performances in the League of Ireland had finally earned him the recognition he had been waiting for. Born in Ghana, raised in England, and having represented England at youth level, Anang had committed his international future to the Black Stars.
His debut for Ghana had come in November 2025 in a friendly against Sudan. Now, he was heading to the biggest stage of all. The boy from Teshie, who had moved to London as a teenager in search of a better life, who had been West Ham’s third-choice goalkeeper for years, who had been loaned out and found a home in Dublin, was now a World Cup player.
Origins
Joseph Tetteh Anang was born on June 8, 2000, in Teshie, a suburb of Ghana’s capital city Accra. Before becoming a goalkeeper, he played as a centre-back. He began his youth career with Danbort in his native Ghana before moving to Ghana Premier League club Wa All Stars.
As a teenager, Anang’s parents left Ghana for a better life in England, and he followed them. He went on trial with West Ham United, ultimately signing for the club as an academy scholar in July 2017. He had to wait until March 2018 to play for the club’s under-18 team, having not gained international clearance, during which he also trained with the first team alongside goalkeeper Adrián.
On 1 July 2018, Anang signed his first professional contract with West Ham. During his time with the club, he became close friends with fellow Ghanaian Mohammed Kudus when the latter signed from Ajax in 2023.
The European Forge
West Ham United (2017-2024):
Anang spent seven years at West Ham United, but never made a senior competitive appearance for the club. He made five appearances in the EFL Trophy for West Ham’s under-21 team and was on the bench as an unused substitute on 32 occasions for the first team. He signed a new contract on 15 December 2020, running until the summer of 2024.
On 5 June 2024, West Ham United confirmed that Anang would depart the club upon the expiration of his contract.
Stevenage (Loan, 2021-2022):
Anang joined League Two club Stevenage on a season-long loan on 15 June 2021. He made his English Football League debut in Stevenage’s 1–0 victory against Barrow on 7 August 2021. He made 18 appearances during the first half of the 2021-22 season before returning to West Ham in January 2022.
St Patrick’s Athletic (Loan, 2022):
On 28 January 2022, Anang signed for League of Ireland Premier Division side St Patrick’s Athletic on loan until the end of November. He made his debut for the club in the 2022 President of Ireland’s Cup against Shamrock Rovers. He kept a clean sheet in his league debut, a 3-0 win away to Shelbourne. He made his first appearance in European football on 21 July 2022 in a 1–1 draw with Slovenian side NŠ Mura in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Anang was the penalty shootout hero in the second leg in Slovenia, as his side won the shootout 6–5. His loan was cut short in August 2022 when Anang refused to travel to Bulgaria for a fixture against CSKA Sofia unless he was allowed to end his loan spell early.
Derby County (Loan, 2022-2023):
On 14 August 2022, Anang was recalled from his loan at St Patrick’s Athletic and sent to Derby County on a season-long loan. He suffered a small arm fracture in training shortly after signing, an injury that kept him out of action for several months. The loan was terminated in January 2023.
Return to St Patrick’s Athletic (2024-Present):
On 24 June 2024, Anang returned to his old club St Patrick’s Athletic on a two-and-a-half-year contract, becoming recently appointed manager Stephen Kenny’s first signing at the club. He featured in all six of the club’s UEFA Conference League games during the summer of 2024. On 17 July 2025, Anang made the 100th appearance of his career in a 2–0 win away to Hegelmann in the UEFA Conference League. He finished the 2025 season with 18 clean sheets in 36 games, the most in the league, helping his side to the best defensive record in the league. On 8 February 2026, Anang was named Man of the Match in the opening game of the 2026 season after making excellent saves in a 0–0 draw with Bohemians. On 6 March 2026, Anang made his 100th appearance for the club in a 3-2 win away to rivals Shelbourne, having kept 44 clean sheets and conceded an average of just 0.98 goals per game in those appearances. The following week, he saved a penalty from ex-teammate Mark Doyle to stop Drogheda United from taking the lead.
The Anatomy of His Game
Anang is a modern goalkeeper defined by his shot-stopping ability, composure, and command of his penalty area.
In Possession:
Anang is a composed presence with the ball at his feet. He is capable of launching attacks with accurate long kicks, a skill developed during his time in West Ham’s academy.
Out of Possession:
Anang’s shot-stopping is his greatest asset. In the 2026 League of Ireland season, he conceded just 17 goals in 20 matches and kept 6 clean sheets. His save percentage was 77.78%, having saved 63 of the 81 shots he faced. He also saved a crucial penalty against Drogheda United in March 2026. He is a commanding presence who averages 0.90 clearances per game.
Physical Attributes:
Standing at 1.90 meters, Anang has the ideal frame for a modern goalkeeper. He is agile, quick off his line, and uses his height effectively to command his area.
Psychological Edge:
Anang’s mental resilience is his defining characteristic. He overcame a small arm fracture at Derby County, struggled for game time at West Ham, and fought his way back to become St Patrick’s Athletic’s number one. His refusal to play in a European fixture in 2022—while controversial—demonstrates his determination to control his own career path.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2026 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets | Save Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League of Ireland Premier Division | 20 | 1,800 | 17 | 6 | 77.78% |
| FIFA World Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| TOTAL | 20 | 1,800 | 17 | 6 | 77.78% |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | St Patrick’s Athletic | LOI Premier Division | 20 | 6 |
| 2025 | St Patrick’s Athletic | LOI Premier Division | — | 18 |
| 2024 | St Patrick’s Athletic | LOI Premier Division | — | — |
| 2022 | St Patrick’s Athletic | LOI Premier Division | 24 | — |
| 2021-22 | Stevenage | League Two | 13 | — |
| TOTAL | — | — | 109+ | 28+ |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | Group Stage |
| Ghana Senior Career | 1+ | — |
| England U20 | 1 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | West Ham Signing | Joined as academy scholar |
| 2018 | Professional Contract | Signed first pro deal |
| 2019 | England U20 Debut | Against Iceland U20 |
| 2022 | St Patrick’s Loan | First spell, penalty shootout hero |
| 2024 | Return to St Patrick’s | Stephen Kenny’s first signing |
| 2025 | Ghana Debut | Against Sudan |
| 2026 | World Cup Call-Up | First active St Patrick’s player selected |
What these figures reveal
is a goalkeeper who has found his level and excelled. Anang’s 77.78% save percentage in the 2026 League of Ireland season is elite. His 18 clean sheets in 36 games in 2025, the most in the league, helped his side achieve the best defensive record in the competition. At 25, he is entering the prime of his career, and his World Cup call-up is a testament to his consistent performances.
The Present Tense
Joseph Anang is 26 years old and at a pivotal stage in his career. He is St Patrick’s Athletic’s first-choice goalkeeper, a Ghana international, and a World Cup squad member.
The St Patrick’s Athletic Story:
Anang returned to St Patrick’s Athletic in 2024 and has become the club’s undisputed number one. He finished the 2025 season with 18 clean sheets in 36 games, the most in the league. In the 2026 season, he has conceded just 17 goals in 20 matches, keeping 6 clean sheets and saving 63 of 81 shots faced. He has made his 100th appearance for the club. He is under contract until November 2026.
The World Cup Campaign:
Anang was named in Ghana’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made history by becoming the first active St Patrick’s Athletic player to be called up to a World Cup. St Patrick’s Athletic chairman Garrett Kelleher presented him with a commemorative frame to mark the achievement. He did not feature in any matches during the tournament.
International Record:
Anang made his senior debut for Ghana in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Sudan in November 2025. He had previously represented England at U20 level, making one appearance in 2019. He committed his international future to Ghana in 2025.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Anang is defined by his journey from Ghana to England to Ireland. He was born in Teshie, Accra, and moved to London as a teenager. His decision to represent Ghana over England was driven by a desire to honour his heritage.
He is close friends with fellow Ghanaian Mohammed Kudus, whom he met when Kudus signed for West Ham in 2023. His performance in a 3-2 win away to rivals Shelbourne in March 2026 was a particular highlight.
In July 2026, St Patrick’s Athletic honoured Anang for his historic achievement, presenting him with a commemorative frame.
The Verdict from the Camp
Garrett Kelleher, St Patrick's Athletic Chairman:
Kelleher presented Anang with a commemorative frame to mark his achievement of becoming the first active St Patrick's Athletic player to be called up to a World Cup.
Stephen Kenny, St Patrick's Athletic Manager:
Kenny made Anang his first signing upon taking over as St Patrick’s manager in 2024.
Statistic:
Anang is the first active St Patrick's Athletic player to be called up to a World Cup.
Statistic:
Anang finished the 2025 season with 18 clean sheets, the most in the League of Ireland.
Where Next?
Joseph Anang is 26 years old and under contract with St Patrick’s Athletic until November 2026. His performances in the League of Ireland have made him one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the division.
For Ghana, Anang’s World Cup experience, even as an unused substitute, will be invaluable. At 26, he has many years ahead of him and could become a regular fixture for the Black Stars. His commitment to Ghana, despite representing England at youth level, demonstrates his pride in his heritage.
From Teshie to London, from West Ham to Stevenage, from Derby County to St Patrick’s Athletic, Joseph Anang’s journey is a story of perseverance, resilience, and a dream that came true. The boy from Accra who became the first active St Patrick’s Athletic player to go to a World Cup is only just beginning.
