Joseph Esso

Joseph Esso is a Ghanaian forward who built his reputation at Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC before playing in Algeria and Malaysia. He was one of Ghana's standout players at the 2019 WAFU Cup of Nations, where the home-based Black Stars finished as runners-up.

Accra beginnings

Esso was born in Accra on 10 December 1996. He started his senior career at Ebusua Dwarfs in 2016 and moved to Hearts of Oak on a three-year contract in February 2018, scoring 11 league goals for the Phobians. He declined to extend his contract in 2020.

Dreams FC and Algeria

He joined Dreams FC in August 2020 and scored 12 goals in 18 league games, which earned him a move to MC Alger in April 2021. In Algeria he scored his first career hat-trick in a 4-4 draw with NA Hussein Dey and captained the club on the final day of a season. He returned to Dreams in 2024 and added 13 more league goals.

Ghana and Malaysia

With Ghana's home-based national team he scored two goals at the 2019 WAFU Cup of Nations and was named in the team of the tournament. In July 2025 he signed for Negeri Sembilan in the Malaysia Super League, where he scored 10 goals in his first 22 matches. His older brother, Eric Esso, is also a professional footballer.