Derrick Abu
Derrick Abu (born 18 December 2003) is a professional footballer currently playing as a right-back for Chelsea. Born in Germany, he is a youth international for England.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 18 December 2003 | ||
Place of birth | Regensburg, Germany[1] | ||
Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[1] | ||
Position(s) | Right-back | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Chelsea | ||
Number | 57 | ||
Youth career | |||
Coezer FC | |||
2012– | Chelsea | ||
International career‡ | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2020 | England U17 | 2 | (0) |
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 2 January 2023 |
Club career
Born in Regensburg, Germany, to Nigerian parents, Abu's family moved to England in 2006, when he was two years old.[2][3] After representing grassroots side Coezer FC at a tournament in Spain, he was scouted and signed by Premier League side Chelsea at under-11 level.[4][5] He signed a scholarship contract with The Blues in July 2020, before signing on professional terms in February 2021.[6]
In late April 2023, he went on trial with fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace, scoring the winning penalty in a 5–3 penalty shoot-out win against the youth team of Valencia in the Premier League International Cup semi-final.[7][8]
International career
Abu is eligible to represent England, Germany and Nigeria at international level.[1] In 2019, he reportedly made himself available to represent Nigeria at youth international level.[9] He has since stated his desire to represent all three countries before making a final decision on who to represent.[3]
He has represented England at under-17 level.[1]
Music career
Describing himself as having a "huge passion for music",[3] Abu was involved with his church's choir from a young age, and wrote his first song at the age of eleven.[10] He released a rap single in early 2022, and followed this up with an EP later the same year, under the name Cho$en.[10][11]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 2 January 2023[12]
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Chelsea U23 | 2022–23 | — | — | — | — | 2[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||||
Career total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
- Appearances in EFL Trophy
Discography
Singles
- Life's Changing (2022)
- Real Love (2022)
- Gucci (2022)
- little do you know (2022)
- Waste my time (2022)
EPs
- Page 1 (2022)
References
- Derrick Abu at WorldFootball.net
- "Meet Nigeria born Chelsea youngster with promising football and rap careers". 234sportsng.com. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- Rotzer, Magnus (25 December 2020). "Derrick Abu: Auf den Spuren von Callum Hudson-Odoi" [Derrick Abu: In the footsteps of Callum Hudson-Odoi]. idowa.de (in German). Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- Emmanuel, Ifeanyi (27 June 2022). "Pictured : Nigerian defender reports for pre-season training with Chelsea Youth". allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- "Derrick Abu". chelseafc.com. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- "Nigeria-eligible Derrick Abu signed first professional contract". en.africatopsports.com. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- "U21s Report: Palace beat Valencia on penalties to reach PL International Cup Final". cpfc.co.uk. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- Emmanuel, Ifeanyi (4 May 2023). "Crystal Palace take Chelsea's young Nigerian RB on trial with a view to a permanent move". allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- Emmanuel, Ifeanyi (30 October 2019). "Highly-Rated Chelsea Right-Back Abu Wants To Play For Nigeria". allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- "'There's no reason I can't develop as a music artist too' - Academy youngster Derrick Abu on finding the right notes on the field and in the studio". chelseafc.com. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- Clark, Gill (19 December 2022). "Chelsea academy player Derrick Abu (AKA Cho$en) releases first EP - including track titled 'Reece James'". goal.com. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- Derrick Abu at Soccerway