Derek Tieku

Football player infobox name = Derek Tieku full_name = Derek Safo Tieku image = birth_date = He would continue his career with fellow rival London club Crystal Palace, moving to South London at the age of 17.

After a few seasons with the Eagles, including a loan to Hayes & Yeading, Tieku played for Farnborough in non-league before moving abroad in 2015 to join Swedish fourth-tier club Österlen FF, where he made 11 appearances. On 30 October 2016, Tieku scored his first goal for the club during their inaugural season in the Stirling Sports Premiership, securing a 1–0 victory over Hawke's Bay United. He would conclude the season with one goal and two assists.

Tieku would score seven goals and make four assists in his second campaign during the 2017–18 season, securing a move to fellow Premiership side Hamilton Wanderers. Tieku's first season with Hamilton was relatively quiet as he adjusted to his new club, managing to score two goals and provide one assist.

After only playing 24 minutes for the club during both legs of the qualifying round, Tieku would resign with Waikato side Wanderers ahead of the new 2023–24 season. He would score 6 goals for the club before transferring to Auckland City.

During his time at the club, Tieku would make a total of 153 appearances for the club, majority being team captain. He would become Hamilton Wanderers' all time leading scorer, scoring a total of 93 goals, overtaking previous record holder Tommy Semmy. His performances in the 2021–22 and 2022–23 editions of the Northern League earned him the title of Two-Time Golden Boot Winner.

While playing for Wanderers, he also coached the women's first team in the NRFL Women's Championship.

Auckland City On 1 June, Tieku would sign for Auckland City on a free transfer. He would make his debut in a 1–0 loss to his former club Eastern Suburbs as a substitute, coming on the 57th minute for Ryan De Vries. On 29 June, Tieku would open up the score with an 180 degree turn "no-look" goal in the 7th minute in a 5–0 victory over Tauranga City.

Bay Olympic Tieku signed for Bay Olympic on 17 February 2025, for the 2025 Northern League.

Coastal Spirit Coastal Spirit signed Tieku on 26 September 2025 for the 2025 New Zealand National League.

Career statistics Club updated|match played on 6 December 2025.| National League: 2024

Individual ISPS Handa Premiership Most Valuable Player: 2019–20 ISPS Handa Premiership Team of the Season: 2019–20 Northern League Most Valuable Player: 2022, 2023, 2025 Northern League Golden Boot: 2022, 2023