- published: 28 Aug 2008
- views: 48298
Derek Owusu Boateng ( /ˈboʊtɛŋ/ BOH-teng) (born 2 May 1983) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who currently plays as a Central Defender or defensive midfielder for Ukrainian club Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the Ukrainian Premier League.
Boateng was born in Accra, Greater Accra, where he played for the local side Liberty Professionals.
He signed for Kalamata F.C. in Greece when he was 16. In 2001, Boateng joined antother Greek Super League club Panathinaikos. In 2002, Boateng was unable to keep his place in the Panathinaikos squad and was sent on loan to OFI Crete.
He signed for AIK in August 2003.[citation needed] In the 2004 season, AIK was relegated from Allsvenskan for the third time in the history of the club.In the following season, AIK gained promotion after winning the Superettan, distancing runners-up Östers IF by nine points. Boateng extended his contract with AIK for one more year until the end of 2007.[citation needed] When he left for Beitar Jerusalem, Boateng stated in an interview that he loves Sweden and AIK, and that he one day will come back to Allsvenskan and AIK the team he supports.