From Bayern Munich’s famed academy to senior football across Europe, the German-born defender has built his journey patiently and now finds himself back in the Bundesliga, chasing new dreams with Union Berlin.
After spells that took him through France and Turkey, including a high-profile stint at Galatasaray, Kohn returned to Germany to join Union Berlin, a club that has redefined what ambition looks like in modern German football.
Union played UEFA Champions League football two seasons ago and currently sit eighth in the Bundesliga this campaign as they once again push for Europe. For Kohn, the dream is to return to Europe’s elite competitions.
“I'm very happy at Union,” Kohn told Flashscore in an exclusive interview. "Hopefully, we play this season a good season. My dream with Union is to play in Europe with them. I think we're on a good path and we will try to.”
While Union’s rise has already included unforgettable Champions League nights, Kohn is determined to be part of the next chapter.
“First, it's a vacation, but in January we can continue to May and hopefully we play in Europe at the end of the season,” he added.
“They played Champions League, some guys told me already it was a big night and a nice experience and everything. Of course, one day I wish that we can play again in the Champions League with Union Berlin.”
Bundesliga battles and Bayern rivalry
Competing for European places in Germany inevitably means crossing paths with Bayern Munich, the country’s dominant force for over a decade.
Union proved once again this season that they are no pushovers, holding Bayern to a dramatic 2–2 draw and handing the champions their first dropped points of the campaign. Kohn believes matches like that highlight the unforgiving quality of the Bundesliga.
“Bundesliga is a high level. You have to be focused. Every minute, every second, things can happen. You have good players there, of course, Bayern is one of the best teams in Germany. They have on every position very good players,” he explained.
“We tried to beat Bayern. I think against us it was really close. We played in the league game 2–2. I think Bayern don't like to play against us. But Bayern, obviously, they are really good. We have to say that in Germany they are the best club. Everyone in Germany is trying to beat them. It's hard, but hopefully one day some other club will beat them from the throne.”
From Bayern’s academy to watching stars rise
Kohn knows Bayern’s environment better than most. He came through the club’s youth system and played for Bayern II, sharing dressing rooms with players who have since become global stars such as Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala.
“I played with them and now I wish them all the best. They are in their prime in their careers now,” Kohn said.
“I like it when I see Jamal. I played with him in Bayern too. He was really small and thin. Now he's one of the best players in the world. I'm really proud of him. Alphonso Davies as well, he came from Canada as a young guy. Now he's a man who showed Germany who he is, or the world who he is. I'm really proud of these two guys.”
During his Bayern years, Kohn also experienced life around the first team and one player stood above all others.
“I trained with the first team sometimes and Thiago Alcântara was for me absolutely amazing. His technique and his first touch and everything is absolutely amazing. I've never seen something like this before. I have no words even. He's so good. For me it's Thiago Alcântara for sure.”
Youth international lessons and future stars
Kohn’s performances at the youth level earned him a call-up to Germany’s U19 side, where he registered an assist on his debut. One teammate from that period has since developed into one of Europe’s most sought-after centre-backs is Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck.
“Schlotterbeck, I played with him in the U19 Germany,” Kohn recalled. “You could tell he's going to make it. He was really professional and did extra training, ate healthy, everything.”
“That's why he's where he is now. I think he's a good role model for young guys and also for some professional footballers.”
Choosing Ghana and targeting the World Cup
Despite representing Germany at the youth level, Kohn never featured for the senior national team. Instead, he chose to represent Ghana, embracing his heritage and setting his sights firmly on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Black Stars face a challenging group featuring England, Croatia, and Panama but Kohn is undeterred.
“It's difficult. Not only England, but Panama is also not bad. We have to take them seriously. I think it's the first game where we have to take three points, and then with this energy, we go into the game against England. But we try to beat everyone. This is the mindset from us.”
“It's going to be a big fight facing Saka. Of course, there are big players like Kane and Bellingham, but we're going to give our best for sure. England are going to have a hard opponent to beat us.”
Living in Germany, Kohn has watched closely as Thomas Tuchel reshaped England.
“Thomas Tuchel is a really good coach. In Germany, he's one of the best for sure,” he said.
“I think with England, he did an amazing job. They are really good. But you have to be well prepared against this country.”
Galatasaray, global stars, and personal benchmarks
Before returning to Germany, Kohn experienced life at Galatasaray, a dressing room filled with elite talent.
“It was always a dream for me to play with players like them. In the first days, I was like, ‘Okay, Derrick, wake up’ but it was reality. Players like Dries Mertens, Zaha, Ziyech… they showed me a lot. I learned a lot.”
Wilfried Zaha, in particular, became a close friend, and Kohn is backing him to shine at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Zaha is crazy skillful. He did very well with Crystal Palace in the Premier League. He's like a big brother to me. I'm still in contact with him. Now he's with Ivory Coast at the AFCON and I wish him all the best.”
Asked to name the world’s best left-back right now, Kohn didn’t hesitate.
“I really like Nuno Mendes,” he said. “I think he's a really good left back.”
As for who shaped his own game growing up, the answer was rooted in Munich.
“David Alaba,” Kohn pointed out. “Because I played at Bayern and he was with the first team, I was always watching him. Marcelo was really good, of course, but I think my playing style is more similar to Alaba with the crossing, the shooting, free kicks, and corners.”
“One day, hopefully, I'm at the same level like Alaba.”
For Derrick Kohn, that ambition, just like Union Berlin’s European dreams and Ghana’s World Cup hopes, remains firmly alive.
