According to a report in Serbia, Derik Lukassen is expected to continue his career with Red Star.

As noted, the Ghanaian center back is set to sign a contract with the Belgrade club through 2029.

Thus, if the report is confirmed, Lukassen will be leaving Paphos after two years, having declined the contract renewal offer that was presented to him.

Here’s what they’re reporting in detail: “Center back Derik Lukassen will become Red Star’s newest signing. The player we saw at the World Cup—who scored for Ghana against Croatia—will sign a contract at the “Maracana,” thereby providing a significant boost to Dejan Stanković’s team. According to Sportal, Red Star has acquired a new defender. He is Derik Lukassen, a player well-known to the team’s fans, as he was a key pillar of Pafos’ defense last season and was directly responsible for the fact that no Champions League matches were held at the “Maracana.”

After the World Cup—where he played in two matches, against Croatia (where he scored a goal) and Colombia—he is coming to “Maracana.” He is expected to join the team on Wednesday, and his arrival will undoubtedly mean the departure of Rodrígo, while a decision regarding Strahinja Eraković is still pending.

Although he played for Ghana, Lukassen also holds Dutch citizenship (and thus an EU passport), so he will not be counted as a foreign player in the Super League. He is joining as a free agent, as his contract with Paphos expired and was not renewed, meaning that Red Star is essentially acquiring a high-quality, strong center back completely free of charge.

The contract will be for three years. Lukassen came up through the Alkmaar youth academy, from which he was sold in 2017 to PSV Eindhoven for 5,000,000 euros. He has also played for Hertha, Anderlecht, Kasimpasa, Karagümrük, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Pafos.”