Sarpei was born in Tema. He was with VfL Wolfsburg for six seasons, where he extended his contract until 30 June 2007 in February 2004. He joined Wolfsburg in 2001 and made over 130 appearances for the Wolves. At the end of the 2006–07 Bundesliga season, then Wolfsburg manager Klaus Augenthaler decided not to renew Sarpei's contract.
On 18 May 2007, Sarpei moved to Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer signing a two-year deal.[2][3]
Sarpei, who also has a German passport, moved to Germany from Ghana with his parents, when he was a child.[5] His older brother, Edward, is a former Bundesliga player for 1. FC Köln, currently playing for BP Worringen.[6]
Sarpei enjoys his large Facebook followership which recoined various Chuck Norris facts on him.[7]