Clubs: Liberty Professionals FC, Udinese Calcio, Portsmouth FC, FC Internazionale Milano, Sunderland AFC (loan)

UEFA honours
UEFA Champions League: winner 2010

• Muntari entered the international spotlight early, helping Ghana finish runners-up at the 2001 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina while still only 16; made his Serie A debut for Udinese on 6 November 2002 in a 1-0 defeat by AC Milan and in 2005/06 played all six games in the Friulani's debut UEFA Champions League campaign.

• Was first capped at senior level by Ghana in May 2002 and represented the Black Stars at the 2006 FIFA World Cup; he was also a key performer at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals as the team finished third.

• Joined Portsmouth in 2007 for a club-record fee, scoring four goals in 29 Premier League appearances and lifting the FA Cup; scored the winner from the penalty spot in a quarter-final against Manchester United FC at Old Trafford.

• Returned to Italy after one season, joining José Mourinho's Inter and winning the Scudetto; won the treble in 2009/10, making 27 Serie A appearances and featuring as a substitute in the UEFA Champions League final victory against FC Bayern München.

• Scored for Ghana in the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-final loss to Uruguay on penalties and ended the year by helping the Nerazzurri win the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

• A lack of first-team action prompted a six-month loan in January 2011 to Sunderland, where he linked up with international colleagues John Mensah and Asamoah Gyan.