Derek Asamoah

Derek Asamoah (born 1 May 1981) is an Ghanaian professional football (soccer). Having forged a career in England football, he currently plays for French club OGC Nice. He is a skilful striker, and is also capable of playing on the wing.

Asamoah learned his trade at the Protec Sport Soccer School in London. He began his footballing career at Hampton & Richmond Borough F.C., before moving to Slough Town F.C. from April to May 2001.

Professional career

Asamoah's first professional club was Northampton Town F.C., where he made over 100 appearances, most of them as a substitute. He then joined Mansfield Town F.C., but after a fall-out with the management, Asamoah joined Lincoln City F.C. for a nominal fee.

In May 2006 he was released by Lincoln City following a period on loan to Football League Two rivals Chester City F.C.. He wrote himself into Chester folklore with a prolific goalscoring spree near the end of the season to save the club from the drop, including a derby winner against Wrexham F.C..

In search of a new club, Asamoah trialled with both Doncaster Rovers F.C. and Scunthorpe United F.C. during July 2006, but on August 32006, Shrewsbury Town F.C. announced that he had signed for them.

In October 2006, Asamoah travelled with the Ghana national football team to Asia for friendlies against Japan national football team and South Korea national football team. In playing the closing minutes of match against Korea, he gained his first full cap for his country. Asamoah continues to live in Mansfield.

In 2006-07 in English football Asamoah netted 10 times in the league as Shrewsbury Town qualified for the Football League Two play-offs 2007 in 7th place.

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 trial with the French club, with no clearance from Shrewsbury Town, the The Football Association 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.

Asamoah made no appearances for Nice in his 2007-08, first season with the club.

Cult Status

Despite a relatively low-level career, Asamoah has become a cult hero amongst many English fans. His name is given as a player clubs are likely to sign, and is often bizarrely referred to as the 'French Maradona'.