Dermi Lusala


Dermi Lusala is an English professional footballer who plays as a right back for club Dagenham & Redbridge.
Lusala is a product of the Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford academies and transferred to Coventry City in 2022. After failing to break into the first team squad, he dropped into non-League football after his release in 2024. Lusala was capped by England at U16 level.

Club career

Youth years

A right back, Lusala began his career in the Brentford Academy and was a part of the U13 team which won the 2016 Elite Neon Cup. Following the closure of the academy at the end of the 2015–16 season, Lusala transferred into the Tottenham Hotspur Academy. He progressed to sign a one-year professional contract at the end of the 2020–21 season. Following an injury-plagued season in the Development Squad, during which he participated in first team training sessions, Lusala was released when his contract expired.

Coventry City

On 1 July 2022, Lusala signed a two-year contract with Championship club Coventry City on a free transfer. On 25 November 2022, he joined Southern League Premier Division Central club Barwell on a one-month loan and made four appearances. Lusala was a part of the Coventry City U21 team which reached the final of the 2022–23 Birmingham Senior Cup.
During the 2023–24 pre-season, Lusala was included in the first team squad for its training camp in Portugal. Lusala was an unused substitute on 16 occasions during the 2023–24 season and was released when his contract expired.

Buxton

After a successful trial, Lusala transferred to National League North club Buxton on 10 August 2024 and signed a one-year contract, with the option of a further year. He made eight appearances, before succumbing to injury. In order to build match fitness after his recovery, Lusala joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Matlock Town on a one-month loan on 15 November and made three appearances. He made 29 appearances during a 2024–25 season which concluded with defeat in the National League North playoff quarter-finals. The club exercised its option on Lusala's contract for the 2025–26 season, but he elected to transfer away in June 2025.

Dagenham &; Redbridge

On 27 June 2025, Lusala signed a two-year contract with National League South club Dagenham & Redbridge for an undisclosed fee.

International career

Lusala was capped by England at under-15 and under-16 level.

Personal life

Lusala attended St Ignatius College, Enfield.