Southampton set to sign former Chelsea star with Nigerian roots

Born in Regensburg, Germany to Nigerian parents, the former Chelsea right-back is set to join Southampton after he was released….

Relegated Southampton are reportedly set to sign Chelsea right-back, Derrick Abu,  Ezenwoko’s blog.ng reports

The 19-year-old, who was born to Nigerian parents in Regensburg, Germany, before eventually moving to England in 2006, has been on Chelsea’s books, joining from the U-11 level and going through the youth ranks before eventually signing a professional contract in February 2021, as per Daily Mail, is set to sign for former Premier League side, Southampton.

The attack-minded full-back left the club last season after his contract expired with the West-London side, and The Saints are set to pick him up, with interest from Crystal Palace also circulating.

Abu went on trial to Crystal Palace earlier this year, and featured in a game against Valencia where he scored, but Palace refused to sign him, and now he has set sights on making sure The Saints return to the Premier League top-flight after relegating.

Off the pitch, the right-back is a multi-talented vocalist, who has been in the church choir since he was young and wrote his own song as young as when he was eleven years old. He recently released his own rap album going by the stage name of ‘Cho$en‘.

When asked about his music career, he said;

“I have been making music as long as I have been playing football, going to church with my mum and being involved with the church choir. My love for music only grew from there. I think I had a natural talent and the most important thing is I enjoyed singing so from there it just became a hobby”

Abu is eligible to play for Nigeria, Germany and the English national team. He has represented England at youth level and is keeping his options open. He has a strong desire to represent all three nations before eventually making his preferred choice.