Luckassen: “I can’t wait to get stuck in for the team!”

Our new signing Derrick Luckassen spoke to us about his loan move to Berlin, familiar faces in the team and his name.

It has been an eventful 48 hours for Derrick Luckassen. He landed in Berlin late Sunday evening, and the next day went for his medical and had a conversation with Michael Preetz. The next day, after continued talks, he signed his loan contract with Hertha (Tuesday 28/08/18). “I’m happy to be here. I knew immediately that Hertha BSC would be the right move for me,” said the tall defender. He won the Eredivisie last year with PSV Eindhoven and the Dutchman with Ghanaian roots was looking focused but also full of excitement as he conducted his interview.

herthabsc.de:  Derrick, welcome to Hertha BSC! Why did you choose to join Hertha on loan?

Luckassen: My agent called me and told me that Hertha wanted to sign me on loan. My first thought was: “Oh, very cool, a cool club!” I played in Berlin once as a youth player for AZ Alkmaar and so I have seen the Olympic stadium and the country before. From this moment I liked the club. That’s why I was sure immediately, that Hertha BSC was the right club for me to go to.

herthabsc.de: You have a great reputation back home. You won the league with PSV Eindhoven last season and played 19 games for the Dutch youth teams. How would you describe yourself as a footballer?

Luckassen: I am a defender. I like to defend, to work hard and to get stuck in for the team. I think that I am good on and off the ball, have good technique and can pass well. I am also a strong and explosive player. However, I am still young and I can always improve areas of my game.

herthabsc.de: You can play at centre-back, as a defensive midfielder or on the right. Which position do you feel most comfortable?

Luckassen: My favourite position is centre-back but I have also played as a holding midfielder. I enjoy it there too but I prefer centre-back. Right-back is also potentially a position I could enjoy.

herthabsc.de: Hertha already have two Dutch players with Javairo Dilrosun and Karim Rekik. You have already played with Karim for the U21 national side. How well do you know them both and did you discuss the transfer with them?

Luckassen: Yes, I already know Karim well; however I don’t know Javairo yet, although he has played in the Dutch youth teams with my brother, Samuel. Obviously it’s always easier to settle in at a new club when you have a familiar face here. I didn’t actually discuss the transfer with Karim; I just had a good feeling about the move and my family and advisor both encouraged me to move. Karim’s development here at Hertha is another reason for my decision. When I moved to PSV I initially played a lot, but then the manager changed the team around after a defeat. After this I was unsatisfied with my game time, something very important for a young player. If I can have as much as success here as Karim has had, I will be very happy.

herthabsc.de: What do you already know about Berlin?

Luckassen: I admittedly do not know an awful lot about the city, but I have heard that it’s meant to very nice here. I always really like big cities and this is an exciting move for me as it’s my first club I will have played for outside of the Netherlands. My girlfriend will also be with me for the beginning here. The move here is also a chance to develop myself further as a person. That also includes learning German, which will ultimately make it easier for to play football here.

herthabsc.de: The Bundesliga is also new territory for you. What expectations do you have ahead of the season?

Luckassen: I have been following the Bundesliga for a long time actually; it’s such a big league. I hope that I can play an important role here at Hertha. The atmosphere in the grounds is fantastic and I just cannot wait to start playing football and enjoying it here. However that will only be possible by playing a lot football and working very hard. I hope that we can win many games and end the season as high in the table as possible.

herthabsc.de: A final question, not regarding football. The TV series “Derrick” enjoys cult status here in Germany. Were you named after it?

Luckassen: (laughs) I have heard of the series and I know that my father enjoys watching it. However, I don’t think I was named after it, even though he does like that name!