Derek Asamoah

Derek Asamoah (born 1 May 1981) is a Ghanaian professional footballer. He has previously played for clubs in England, France, Scotland, Bulgaria and South Korea. He currently plays for Carlisle United after resigning for the club despite been released in summer 2016.

Asamoah is a forward, known for his footspeed and dribbling ability. He can also operate on either wing, delivering sharp crosses, and as a second striker.

Club career

Amateur

Asamoah learned his trade at the Protec Football Academy in North London. Whilst at the Academy, he played for semi-professional side Hampton & Richmond Borough, before moving to Slough Town in 2001.

Professional

Asamoah then gained a trial at Northampton Town, in which he signed his first professional contract. After an impressive first season at Sixfields, he was offered a new improved contract but Asamoah turned it down in favor of a move to Mansfield Town. He had a difficult time at Mansfield Town and fell out with manager Carlton Palmer. He was transfer-listed and moved to Lincoln City.

Asamoah struggled to enjoy his spell at Lincoln City and scored very few goals, which led to boss Keith Alexander loaning him out to struggling Chester City.

Asamoah was in his most prolific season yet, almost using his own two feet saving Chester from the drop with nine goals in 18 matches and at one stage in the season, he had seven goals in four matches. Having rejected a permanent deal with Chester, Asamoah left and was released by Lincoln City.

In search of a new club, Asamoah trialled with both Doncaster Rovers and Scunthorpe United during July 2006, but on 3 August 2006, Shrewsbury Town announced that he had signed for them and turned town Scunthorpe United.^[1]

In 2006–07, Asamoah netted 10 times in the league as Shrewsbury Town qualified for the League Two play-offs in 7th place.

OGC Nice

In August 2007, Asamoah moved to French League 1 side OGC Nice in a controversial transfer, where he went AWOL from Shrewsbury Town in order to sign with the French club, with no clearance from Shrewsbury Town, the FA or the Football League. Asamoah moved for a figure of £50,000.

Following the transfer, Shrewsbury manager Gary Peters claimed Asamoah's conduct was that of a 'selfish player and a selfish person', and revealed Asamoah would have been sacked by Shrewsbury Town had his deal with Nice fallen through.^[2]

Asamoah had a few spells on the sidelines in France and ended the season with no appearances for Nice, for the 2008–09 he again failed to make a single appearance for the first team. As a result of this, he had not played domestic football in over 18-months until at the end of January, Asamoah left the club, to begin training with Yeovil Town.

Hamilton Academical

On 2 April 2009, it was confirmed that he had a trial at Scottish side Hamilton Academical becoming the third Shrewsbury Town player to feature on their books after Colin Cramb and cult hero Victor Kasule. Asamoah made his debut for the Scottish side against Celtic, in a 6–0 thumping. At the end of the season Asamoah decided change would be best for him and left Hamilton Academical for Bulgaria.^[3]

Lokomotiv Sofia

In August 2009 Asamoah signed a contract with Bulgarian side Lokomotiv Sofia. After struggling with several injuries, Asamoah soon took the chance to obtain a starter position in the first squad. After the winter transfer window, he became a vital part of the red-black attack, scoring three goals is the first two matches. During yet another spectacular performance, against Lokomotiv Mezdra, the Ghana international received strong ovation from the attendance every time he got the ball, establishing his status as fan favourite. The crowd praised his dedication to win each 1-on-1 challenge, performing several attractive tricks in the process. A week later, against champions Levski Sofia, Asamoah again received positive chants, as he assisted for both goals of the match. Afterwards, he was chosen for player of the round in the championship.

For the new 2010–11 A PFG season, Asamoah took the now free number one shirt. He netted seven times in the first half of the 2010–11 season.

Pohang Steelers

In November 2010, Asamoah signed with South Korean side Pohang Steelers. His contract was for three years.^[4] On 5 March 2011, he made his official debut (as a starter) in the 1:1 home draw with Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.^[5] Asamoah netted his first goal on 13 March 2011 – in the 1:0 away win over Chunnam Dragons.^[6] He established himself as an influential player for the side.^[7]

Daegu FC

Despite being one of Pohang Steeler's top goalscorers, Asamoah left Pohang Steelers as a Free Agent and on 20 February 2013 signed with Daegu FC.^[8]

Carlisle United

Asamoah signed for League Two club Carlisle United on a short-term deal on 21 October 2014. He scored on his debut in a 4–3 defeat to Burton Albion.^[9] On the 4th February, he signed a contract to keep him at Brunton Park until the end of the 2014/15. He described the club as a "sleeping giant" and hopes to help guide the Cumbrians back towards the top of the European game. ^[10]

On 23 September 2015, in a Capital One Cup tie against Liverpool, Asamoah scored the second goal of the match, with the match ending 1–1 before extra time. Carlisle United lost the tie eventually on penalties in a 2–3 result, with Liverpool goalkeeper Adam Bogdan saving from Danny Grainger, Luke Joyce and Bastien Hery.^[11]

He was released June 2016.

Return to Carlisle United

In September 2016, it was revealed that Asamoah was back training with the club to keep himself fit while he searched for a new Club. After scoring a hatrick in a reserve game, Asamoah resigned for the club on 14 October 2016 on a short-term deal.

International career

In October 2006, Asamoah was named in the Ghana national football team squad for friendlies against Japan and South Korea, in which he made his international debut, he has now gone on to make another three appearances for Ghana and was looking to gain a place in Milovan Rajevac's squads for the 2010 African Cup of Nations and the World Cup. During the winter transfer window pause, the Ghana coach announced that although having many talented footballers in his team, he would keep an eye on Asamoah and eventually include him in the squad for the Cup, seeing as many Lokomotiv Sofia games as possible.

On 7 November 2011, Asamoah returned to the national team again for the first time since 2008. He was recalled to the national team for friendlies against Gabon and Sierra Leone by new head coach Goran Stevanović. On 15 November 2011, Asamoah scored his first international goal against Gabon in stoppage time to win the game 2–1 for Ghana.

International goals

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	15 November 2011	Saint-Leu-la-Forêt, France	Gabon	2 – 1	2–1	International Friendly

Personal life

Asamoah is the cousin of former professional footballer Lloyd Owusu, who has now retired.^[12]

References

External links

• Derek Asamoah – K League stats at kleague.com