Prince Christian Buaben Abankwah (born 23 April 1988), known as Prince Buaben, is a Ghanaian professional footballer.
Buaben grew up in the Netherlands and was a youth player at AFC Ajax, but was forced to leave the club due to residency issues. He joined Dundee United in 2007 and won the Scottish Cup with them in 2010. He played in England from 2011, with Watford and later Carlisle United. He returned to Scotland in 2014, playing for Partick Thistle on loan prior to joining Hearts. Buaben helped Hearts win promotion in 2015, during his four years with the club. He signed for Falkirk in October 2018.
Buaben has made one appearance for the Ghana national team.
Career
Buaben was born in Akosombo, Ghana, but his mother took his family to the Netherlands when he was nine, as she thought that they would have a better life there. In the Netherlands where he lived for nine years, his big break came when he was playing for local side AVV Zeeburgia against Ajax in a friendly, which they lost 9–1, with Buaben notching his side's solitary strike. "After the game, Danny Blind told my uncle that they had been impressed with me, but nothing happened for a while. Eventually, Ajax called me and I went there for a two-week trial when I was 15."
Dundee United
A player who grew up in the famous Ajax Amsterdam youth system mostly as a striker, the 19-year-old did enough to impress Dundee United manager Craig Levein. He did not have the necessary residential status in the Netherlands to obtain the required work visa when a full-time contract was offered to him by the Dutch giants. "In Holland, you cannot play professional football without a resident's permit, and I was not due to get mine until the following year. But, because I did not have a permit, I could not play professionally, and the club had no choice but to let me go," he recalls. He returned to his native Ghana and due to his family's UK status obtained a valid visa, which led to a recommendation to Dundee United manager Craig Levein.
Buaben joined the club as a trialist at the start of pre-season training and has impressed the manager sufficiently to be awarded a full-time contract. On 20 July 2007, Dundee United signed the Ghanaian on a three-year contract, following a successful trial period at Tannadice Park. Levein told the club website: "He's a young player and although talented, will need time to develop and adapt. "I see him as one for the future but have high hopes that he may break into the first team earlier than expected."
Buaben made his Dundee United debut in the friendly 2–2 draw against Raith Rovers at Starks Park on Sunday 22 July 2007. "The Prince" was an instant hit with the fan's, despite being lauded by Levein as "one for the future", Buaben quickly settled into the starting line-up of United after some outstanding performances especially his range of excellent passing, which got rave reviews in match reports The Times Online said "Two of Levein's cheap discoveries, Morgaro Gomis and Prince Buaben, were outstanding for United against Rangers...Both players have brought craft and imagination to the United midfield". Prince was part of the Dundee United team which won the Scottish Cup in their centenary season 2009/2010. In April 2011, Dundee United manager Peter Houston indicated that he expected Buaben to leave the club at the end of the season due to the Terrors being unable to match the players demands.
Watford
Buaben joined Football League Championship side Watford in July 2011, signing a two-year contract. Buaben struggled in pre-season with a lack of fitness, which halted his attempts to break into the first-team. He had to wait until mid October to make his league debut for Watford, coming on for Michael Kightly in the 20th minute against Leicester City. Buaben made his full league debut for Watford against Peterborough United on 29 October 2011. Watford won the game 3–2 with Buaben instrumental in all three goals. Buaben scored his first goal for Watford in a 1–1 draw against Cardiff City on Boxing day. On 7 June 2013, Watford announced that Buaben's contract would not be renewed and that he was due to be released as a free agent.
Carlisle
He joined Carlisle United in October 2013 in a deal that would keep him at Brunton Park until the end of the 2013–2014 season. He made twelve league appearances for the Cumbrians. After returning from his loan at Partick Thistle. On 6 May 2014, Carlisle announced that Buaben would be released at the end of his contract.