Spartak Trnava have beaten Gimnàstic de Tarragona to the signing of Ghanaian midfielder Dennis Korney after the youngster came close to joining the Spanish club, Footy-Africa can reveal.
Korney has left FC Porto permanently and signed a three-year contract with the Slovakian side until 2029, completing a move that followed a failed opportunity with Gimnàstic.
A source close to the player told Footy-Africa that Korney started pre-season with Porto but was informed that his opportunities would be limited, prompting him and his management team to explore other options.
“He started pre-season with Porto, but it became clear that his opportunities would be limited, so we started looking at the best option for his development,” the source said.
Korney subsequently secured a trial with Pobla Mafumet, the Catalan club that serves as a feeder team for Gimnàstic de Tarragona.
His performances impressed the Spanish outfit and he was invited to feature in a couple of pre-season friendlies for Gimnàstic.
The club were impressed with the Ghanaian, but a deal could not be reached, leaving Korney to consider other opportunities.
That was when Spartak Trnava stepped in.
The Slovakian club invited Korney for a trial and were quickly impressed by the midfielder.
Sporting director Martin Škrtel took a particular interest in the Ghanaian and pushed for the transfer to be completed, the source close to the player confirmed.
Škrtel also outlined why Trnava decided to move for Korney.
“He is physically very well equipped, strong and tall, and especially good with the ball, which is something footballers who grew up in Portugal are known for,” Škrtel said.
“He has great prospects for the future. He may currently have minor fitness issues, but that is something we can work on. We are happy to have such a talented player and we believe that his adaptation will be quick.”
The intervention from Škrtel helped Trnava complete the deal before the Slovakian transfer window closed on September 13, with Korney now tied to the club until 2029.
Korney joined FC Porto in January 2025 and made six appearances for the club’s Under-19 side.
He spent last season on loan at Gondomar, where he made 15 appearances, before returning to Porto for pre-season this summer.
The Ghanaian midfielder now begins a new chapter in Slovakia after a summer that initially took him close to a move to Gimnàstic de Tarragona before Škrtel and Spartak Trnava moved decisively to secure his services.
