Dutch-born defender Derrick Luckassen has received his first-ever call-up to the Ghana national football team, marking an important moment in his football career. The experienced defender has been named in the squad by head coach Otto Addo for the upcoming international friendly matches.
The call-up is a proud moment for Luckassen, who has spent many years playing club football in Europe while waiting for the chance to represent Ghana at international level.
Early life and youth career
Derrick Luckassen was born on July 3, 1995, in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Even though he was born in Europe, he has Ghanaian roots through his family. From a young age, he showed great interest in football and joined youth teams to develop his talent.
Luckassen began his football development at the academy of AZ Alkmaar, one of the well-known clubs in Dutch football. His strong defending ability, speed and physical strength quickly made him stand out among young players.
Breakthrough in professional football
Luckassen made his professional debut for AZ Alkmaar in 2014. During his time at the club, he played mainly as a centre-back but was also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder when needed.
At AZ Alkmaar, he gained valuable experience in the Dutch top division. He made more than 70 appearances for the club in all competitions and scored a few important goals as well. His performances attracted attention from other European clubs.
Move to PSV Eindhoven
In 2017, Luckassen secured a big move to PSV Eindhoven, one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands. The transfer was seen as a major step forward in his career.
At PSV, he competed with top defenders for playing time and also featured in European competitions. During his stay at the club, he was part of the squad that won the Dutch league title.
Playing in several European leagues
After his time at PSV, Luckassen went on several loan spells where he gained experience in different countries. He played for clubs such as:
Hertha BSC in Germany
RSC Anderlecht in Belgium
Fatih Karagümrük in Turkey
These moves helped him grow as a defender.
Playing in different leagues improved his tactical awareness and physical strength. Coaches often praised his versatility because he can play both in central defence and in midfield.
Career statistics
Throughout his professional career so far, Luckassen has built solid experience across Europe. His career numbers include:
Over 200 professional club appearances
More than 10 career goals as a defender
Experience in Dutch, German, Belgian and Turkish leagues
Appearances in European competitions
His height, strength in aerial duels, and ability to read the game have made him a reliable defender wherever he has played.
First chance with the Black Stars
After years of playing in Europe, Luckassen now has the opportunity to represent Ghana on the international stage for the first time. His inclusion in the Black Stars squad shows that the technical team believes he can add experience and strength to the defence.
For Luckassen, the call-up is not only a personal achievement but also a chance to connect with his Ghanaian heritage. Many Ghanaian fans are excited to see what he can bring to the national team.
If he makes his debut, Luckassen will join the growing list of players born abroad who have chosen to represent Ghana at international level.
A new chapter begins
With his experience across several European leagues, Derrick Luckassen’s call-up could provide important depth for the Black Stars defence. The upcoming friendly matches will give him the chance to prove himself and show that he deserves a place in the team.
For the defender, the journey from Amsterdam to the Ghana national team has been long, but his first Black Stars call-up shows that hard work and patience can finally pay off.
He’s expected to make his debut when Ghana take on Germany and Austria in an international friendly matches later this month.
