Derick Osei has recalled the ‘happy memories’ of playing alongside PSG star Kylian Mbappé but now he wants to top that by helping Dundee to the Championship title.
At the beginning of October, the former France Under-20 international put pen to paper on a deal with the Dark Blues until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old has rubbed shoulders with some of the best players to represent Les Bleus in recent years.
Playing with Mbappé
In 2016, he played alongside a young Mbappé for the French Under-19s, who was tearing up the Champions League with Monaco.
A year later, he featured and scored in the Toulon Tournament with stars from Bayern Munich and Crystal Palace.
“I had the chance to play with Mbappé at under-19 level for France,” Osei recalled.
“At the time he was already playing with the first team at Monaco and had played in the Champions League as well.
“At the time, you were just wanting to play football, not thinking about how big a star someone was going to be but he looked like he was going to be something special.
“I also played with the likes of Dayot Upamecano who’s at Bayern Munich now and Odsonne Edouard who used to play for Celtic.
“Many, many good players – they were good times and I have many happy memories from then.”
Move to Dundee
The former France prospect is now looking to create more great memories with the Dark Blues as they look to mount a Championship title challenge.
The season is still young but Osei says he is settling in well.
After a recent spell at Wimbledon, he reveals there was a chance to stay south of the border.
He even opted for a move to the City of Discovery over a return to his homeland.
“Everyone has been really welcoming to me and I am happy to be here,” Osei said. “It is a big challenge for me coming to a new country but I am ready to go.
“I’d other options to stay in England or go back to France but this was the right challenge for me.
“I knew a bit about the club before I came so that’s why I made the decision to join Dundee.
“I had a good chat with the manager and spoke to Zach Robinson who also told me a bit about the club.”
Zach Robinson translator
Robinson played a key role in selling the move to Osei.
Now that the Frenchman is in Dundee, he is also helping his former Wimbledon teammate find his feet.
Osei’s English is strong having learned it at school, but he is yet to fully grasp the Scottish dialect, something Robinson is giving him pointers on.
The pair already have a decent relationship from their time at the Dons.
Osei hopes they will now be able to form a strong partnership on the field.
“I learned English at school and I just listen to people speaking,” he said.
“It is not easy understanding my new team-mates as it is difficult with the accent and they sometimes speak quite quickly.
“I am getting used to it but I sometimes need Zach to help me understand.”
“I was at Wimbledon for three months and played three or four games with Zach.
“It was tough as the club went down but I wish them all the best this season.
“Now I am at a club going for promotion and that’s my goal – helping the team as much as possible.”
The striker had his first taste of Scottish football against Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final defeat.
Osei is now desperate to make his mark on the team and impress at Dens Park, after watching from the stands in recent weeks.
“It was a very good experience to play at such a massive stadium and against such a good team as well,” he said.
“It wasn’t the result we wanted but we still did well.
“Now we have to get back to focusing on the league.
“I have watched a game at Dens and I can’t wait to make my home debut when the time comes.”
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