Viking FK have signed 19-year-old Dutch-Ghanaian right-back Essien Bassey from PSV U21, completing the defender’s move to Norway’s Eliteserien on 2 September 2026.
Bassey joins Viking after beginning the 2026-27 campaign with PSV U21 in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, where he made five appearances. He played 342 minutes in the competition and started 80% of PSV U21’s possible league matches before switching clubs.
The move takes Bassey from the Dutch second tier to Norway’s top division, marking the latest step in a progression that has taken him through PSV’s youth structure. He joined PSV U21 from PSV U19 on 1 July 2025, having previously played for PSV U18 and PSV U17.
Bassey started his youth career with AZSV before moving to De Graafschap’s academy in 2018. He joined PSV’s youth system from De Graafschap in 2022 and subsequently advanced through the club’s age-group teams.
Born in Aalten in the Netherlands, Bassey holds Netherlands and Ghanaian nationality. He operates primarily at right-back and is right-footed, giving Viking a defender who has spent the majority of his development in the Netherlands.
His final recorded appearances for PSV U21 came in the opening stages of the 2026-27 season. He also featured once in the Johan Cruijff Schaal, playing eight minutes, while he did not make an appearance in the Eredivisie during the campaign before leaving the club.
Viking compete in the Eliteserien, while PSV U21 play in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, creating a change of competition for Bassey as he begins his time in Norwegian football. His arrival was registered on 2 September, the same date as the completed transfer.
Bassey has now left PSV U21 and joined Viking FK.