Derek Owusu Boateng (/ˈboʊtɛŋ/ BOH-teng; born 2 May 1983) is a Ghanaian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

Born in Ghana, Boateng went on to play professional football in Greece, Sweden, Israel, Germany, Spain, Ukraine, England, and the United States during a career that spanned between 1999 and 2017.

A full international between 2001 and 2013, he won 47 caps for the Ghana national team and represented his country at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.

The 2008–09 season started with yet another early elimination at the second qualification round for the UEFA Champions League, this time with a 5–0 away defeat to Wisła Kraków, and 6–2 in aggregate.

On 20 June 2011, Boateng completed a move to Ukrainian club FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, signing a four-year contract.

[13] However, only two months later, he was deemed surplus to requirements by manager Paco Jémez,[14] and rescinded his link with the Madrid outfit on 18 August.

[15] Hours after rescinding with Rayo, Boateng signed a one-year deal with fellow league club SD Eibar.

[16] After leaving Eibar, Boateng returned to Beitar Jerusalem to train with them whilst looking for a move in the upcoming transfer window.

[20] He made his first FIFA World Cup appearance on 17 June 2006, when he replaced Otto Addo at half-time in the 2–0 win against the Czech Republic.