A Ghanaian will forever be remembered in the history books of a club based in United States of America, Bethlehem Steel FC, as the first ever signing.
Derrick Jones! sounds like someone from Europe or America but this dude hails from West Africa and has been described to be the next big thing in world football.
He was born in Asafo, a suburb of the second largest city in Ghana - Kumasi - and played for the youthful side of Ahaji Grusah's King Faisal before leaving the shores of Africa to make the history.
"I was born in Kumasi-Asafo and played the then colts football for King Faisal before joining my parents here [America]. I left my motherland five years ago (2011) and by the Alpha and Omega God, I landed myself in an Academy side called Junior Lone Stars" he told Kickgh.com
EXPOSURE OF THE HIDDEN JEWEL
The 19-year-old midfielder was spotted when his club played a friendly with the youth side of Major League Soccer (MLS) side Philadelphia Union.
"I played the game of my life on that day and frankly speaking i never knew, i was going to be on the scouting list before the game".
"Guess..If you were the one, I was much excited when I heard, I will be them on trials after our game with them"
“We discovered Derrick when he played in a friendly match against our U-18s for Junior Lone Star,” Philadelphia Union Academy Director Tommy Wilson said.
Mr. Wilson added “My recollection was that he was the best player on the pitch that day and we decided to take Derrick in on trial and quite quickly realized that here was a boy with great potential".
He spent only two years and graduated from the Academy side of Philadelphia Union before leaving to the club affiliate in the United Soccer League (USL), Bethlehem Steel FC, which was formed last year to become their first-ever player to be signed.
"From Asafo to become a club first ever signing...It was a dream come true, It happens to be one of my best moment and it was great to sign for them"
His physicality allows him to get stuck in for 50-50 balls while also being able to rough an opposition attacker off the ball on the counter.
"His pace, stamina, and 6-3 frame have helped make him a defensive force marauding through midfield snuffing out opposition transition plays.
In addition, he has often been the orchestrator of his club attack. He has demonstrated skill in collecting the ball from defenders before quickly shifting it out wide for his teammates to get forward and exploit the defense. Despite routinely facing double teams from opponents, Jones has shown the ability to fend off defenders before moving the ball on. His long, searching balls out wide have caught more than one sleeping defender off guard" This how an American journalist Dylan Gerstley described the youngster.
BACK TO MY ROOT
The Ghanaian born rejoined his Parent club last month from Bethlehem Steel after his stellar performance last season in the American second-tier league. Before that he joined Union last month on a short deal which he made his debut in their Pre-season game with English Premier League side, Crystal Palace, where he throttled 45 minutes.
"Before the game, I felt happy to make my debut and after the game I was excited"
Philadelphia Union defender Ray Gaddis had this to say about Jones after marking his debut
"Derrick is like a little brother to me. I’ve known him growing through the academy. As I’ve been here for five years with Philadelphia Union, I’ve known some of the academy players quite well. I go watch them and support them just like they support us at our games. The advice I just had to him was that I’ve seen him enough, you’re good enough to play, just have fun and play simple. When you play simple everything comes easy. As you guys saw he played simple. He completed a lot of passes. He turned well in the midfield and I’m very proud of Derrick."
The three-times world player of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo, is the player he admire most and want to be his heir in football.
"He [Ronaldo] is the player I like most and always pray to be like him because of his work rate and his passion for the game"
Derrick now holds a dual citizenship status [Ghana and America] and he is ready to play for any of the two countries.
"I'm waiting for a call-up from both countries and I will opt to play for the one, who will contact me first but am eyeing a call from Ghana" he concluded
