Derrick Luckassen: Ghana-Netherlands defender linked with move to Red Star Belgrade

Ghana-Netherlands centre-back Derrick Luckassen, currently a free agent after leaving Cypriot champions Pafos FC, is being linked with a move to Serbian SuperLiga side Red Star. The 31-year-old defender is available without a transfer fee following the expiry of his deal this summer, and Red Star are exploring the possibility of adding his experience to their back line.

Luckassen’s market value is currently listed at €1m, and a switch to Belgrade would mark a return to the European spotlight for a player who has already featured in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League. He departed Pafos on 1 July 2026, having helped the club to the Cypriot title in the 2024-25 season.

Born in Amsterdam and eligible for both Ghana and the Netherlands, Luckassen has built up extensive top-flight experience with spells in the Eredivisie, Belgian Pro League, Bundesliga, Turkish Super Lig, Israeli Premier League and Cyprus. His most substantial domestic impact came in the Netherlands, where he made 84 Eredivisie appearances and later won the Dutch title and Dutch Super Cup with PSV Eindhoven.

The defender has also maintained a high-profile presence on the international stage, making two appearances and scoring once at the 2026 World Cup, contributing to half of his side’s goals during the tournament. That combination of recent international exposure and a free-agent status is understood to have made him an attractive option for clubs seeking a short-term defensive reinforcement.

For now, Luckassen remains without a club while talks over his next move continue, with Red Star among the leading contenders for his signature.