Derrick Abu (born 18 December 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a right-back for club Valenciennes. Born in Germany, he represented England at youth level.
Born in Regensburg, Germany to Nigerian parents, Abu's family moved to England in 2006, when he was two years old. After representing grassroots side Coerver Coaching at a tournament in Spain, he was scouted and signed by Premier League side Chelsea at under-11 level. He signed a scholarship contract with The Blues in July 2020, before signing on professional terms in February 2021.
In late April 2023, he went on trial with fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace, scoring the winning penalty in a 5âÂÂ3 penalty shoot-out win against the youth team of Valencia in the Premier League International Cup semi-final. On 16 June 2023, Chelsea announced that Abu would leave the club when his contract expired at the end of June.
On 5 July 2023, Abu joined Southampton on a two-year contract, initially joinining the Under-21 side for the 2023âÂÂ24 season.
On 1 February 2024, Abu joined League Two side Harrogate Town for the remainder of the 2023âÂÂ24 season. Two days later, he made his first appearance for the club in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Stockport County.
On 25 June 2025, Southampton confirmed that Abu would be released following the expiry of his contract.
On 1 July 2025, Abu joined Valenciennes on a two-year contract.
Abu is eligible to represent England, Germany and Nigeria at international level. In 2019, he reportedly made himself available to represent Nigeria at youth international level. He has since stated his desire to represent all three countries before making a final decision on who to represent.
He has represented England at under-17 level.
Describing himself as having a "huge passion for music", Abu was involved with his church's choir from a young age, and wrote his first song at the age of eleven. He released a rap single in early 2022, and followed this up with an EP later the same year, under the name Cho$en.