# Derek (footballer)

Derek Freitas Ribeiro (born 2 December 1997), simply known as Derek, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for J2 League club, JEF United Chiba, on loan from Atlético Goianiense.

## Career
### Early career

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Derek began his career with the youth sides of Nova Iguaçu. In 2016, after a short period with GRECAL [pt], he joined the youth categories of Fluminense.
Derek moved to Artsul ahead of the 2017 season, and made his senior debut on 17 June of that year, in a 2–0 Campeonato Carioca Série B1 home win over Gonçalense [pt]. He scored his first senior goals on 19 August, netting a brace in a 4–2 away win over Barra Mansa.
In November 2017, Derek signed for Madureira. He was mainly a backup option during his spell at the club.

### Metalist 1925 Kharkiv

On 25 October 2019, Derek moved abroad and signed a contract with Ukrainian First League side Metalist 1925 Kharkiv. He made his debut for the club the following day, starting and scoring his team's third in a 4–2 away win over Kremin Kremenchuk.
Derek was a regular starter for Metalist in the 2020–21 season, as they achieved a first-ever promotion to the Ukrainian Premier League. He left the country in March 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine started.

### Chapecoense

On 1 April 2022, Derek was announced at Série B side Chapecoense on loan. He scored on his club debut eight days later, netting a last-minute equalizer in a 1–1 home draw against Ituano.
On 1 July 2022, Metalist announced the departure of Derek after his contract expired; he subsequently joined Chape permanently. On 18 November, after 22 matches, he announced his departure from the club.

### Guarani

On 14 December 2022, Derek agreed to a contract with fellow second division side Guarani. After being rarely used during the 2023 Campeonato Paulista due to injuries, he became the top scorer of Bugre during the 2023 Série B with 10 goals.

### JEF United Chiba

On 29 December 2024, Derek was abroad to Japan for the first time and loan transfer to J2 club, JEF United Chiba from 2025 season.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of the start for 2025 season.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | State League | State League | National cup | National cup | League cup | League cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Artsul | 2017 | Carioca Série B1 | — | — | 12 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 3 |
| Madureira | 2018 | Série D | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 1 |
| Madureira | 2019 | Carioca | — | — | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0 |
| Madureira | Total | Total | 3 | 0 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | 4 |
| Metalist 1925 Kharkiv | 2019–20 | Ukrainian First League | 14 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 7 |
| Metalist 1925 Kharkiv | 2020–21 | Ukrainian First League | 21 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | 5 |
| Metalist 1925 Kharkiv | 2021–22 | Ukrainian Premier League | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Metalist 1925 Kharkiv | Total | Total | 35 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | 12 |
| Chapecoense | 2022 | Série B | 22 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | 1 |
| Guarani | 2023 | Série B | 34 | 10 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 38 | 10 |
| Guarani | 2024 | Série B | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 0 |
| Guarani | Total | Total | 56 | 11 | 11 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 67 | 11 |
| Atlético Goianiense | 2024 | Série A | 25 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | 3 |
| Atlético Goianiense | Total | Total | 25 | 3 | – | – | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | 3 |
| JEF United Chiba | 2025 | J2 League | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| JEF United Chiba | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 119 | 26 | 33 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 156 | 30 |
* ↑ Appearance(s) in Campeonato Carioca Série B1
* 1 2 Appearance(s) in Campeonato Carioca
* 1 2 Appearance(s) in Campeonato Paulista