Ghana has drafted German-born defender Derrick Arthur Kohn into the Black Stars squad for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The 26-year-old versatile left-back, who previously represented Germany at the youth level, has now pledged his international future to Ghana.
He could make his senior debut in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, when Otto Addo’s side face Chad and Mali in Group I on September 4, 2025, and September 6, 2025, respectively.
Born in Hamburg to Ghanaian parents, Kohn began his football journey with Hamburg’s U-19 side during the 2016/17 season.
His talent quickly caught the eye of scouts, and he was snapped up by Bayern Munich’s reserve side, where he spent three seasons developing his craft in Germany’s lower divisions.
In search of regular top-flight football, Kohn moved to the Netherlands in 2019, signing for Willem II, where he played for two seasons in the Eredivisie.
His performances earned him a move back to Germany in 2022, joining Hannover 96, where he became one of the club’s most consistent performers.
His steady rise did not go unnoticed. In 2024, Turkish giants Galatasaray paid €3.4 million to sign him but immediately sent him on loan to Werder Bremen for the 2024/25 Bundesliga season.
It proved to be a breakthrough campaign for Kohn as he made 27 league appearances, scoring twice and providing two assists, a strong return for a defender.
Following that success, Kohn secured a permanent transfer to Union Berlin in the summer of 2025.
He made his debut for the club in their Bundesliga opener against Stuttgart on Saturday, August 23, 2025, coming off the bench in the 67th minute.
Although he featured for Germany’s youth national teams earlier in his career, Kohn remained eligible for Ghana through his parents and has now embraced the opportunity to represent the Black Stars at the senior level.
His versatility, pace, and attacking threat from the left flank are seen as key assets for Otto Addo’s side.
For Kohn, this maiden call-up represents the start of a new chapter, one that gives him the chance to contribute to Ghana’s push for a fifth World Cup appearance.
Kohn joins the Black Stars at the peak of his career, bringing with him the experience of Germany, the Netherlands, and Turkey, and the hunger to make his mark on the international stage.
