William Osula
Danish footballer.
William Idamudia Daugaard Osula, born on August 4, 2003, is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Newcastle United in the Premier League. Osula began his career in the youth academy of Copenhagen before moving to Sheffield United's academy in 2018. He made his professional debut for Sheffield United in March 2022 and signed his first professional contract with the club in July 2021. Osula's development included a loan spell at Derby County in the 2022/23 season, where he made 21 appearances and scored 5 goals across all competitions. Upon returning to Sheffield United, he featured in 24 Premier League matches during the 2023/24 season, scoring 3 goals in the FA Cup. His performances caught the attention of Newcastle United, who signed him for an undisclosed fee on August 8, 2024.
Standing at 1.86 meters tall, Osula's rapid progression from youth prospect to Premier League player highlights his potential as a promising young striker.
Early life & youth football
William Osula's early life and youth career began in Denmark, where he played for Copenhagen's youth academy. His talent was evident from a young age, leading to a move to England in 2018 when he joined Sheffield United's youth setup at the age of 15. Osula quickly progressed through the ranks at Sheffield United, featuring for their Under-18 and Under-21 teams. His performances at the youth level were impressive, with notable contributions in the FA Youth Cup. Osula's development in Sheffield United's academy system provided him with a strong foundation in English football, preparing him for the transition to senior football. His rapid rise through the youth ranks culminated in signing his first professional contract with Sheffield United in July 2021, marking the beginning of his senior career.
Professional career
William Osula made his professional debut for Sheffield United in the 2021/22 season. He made five appearances in the Championship, all as a substitute. His debut came on March 16, 2022, in a 0-0 draw against Blackpool, where he came on in the 91st minute. While his playing time was limited, these appearances marked Osula's first steps into senior football and demonstrated the club's faith in his potential.
The experience gained during this season laid the foundation for his future development. In the 2022/23 season, Osula split his time between Derby County (on loan) and Sheffield United. He joined Derby on a season-long loan on September 1, 2022. At Derby, Osula made 21 appearances across all competitions, scoring 5 goals.
His first start and first goals for Derby came on October 15, 2022, when he scored twice in a 3-0 victory against Accrington Stanley. After returning to Sheffield United in January 2023, Osula made two appearances for the Blades in the Championship. This season provided Osula with valuable first-team experience, particularly during his loan spell at Derby, where he was able to contribute goals and gain regular playing time in League One. The 2023/24 season saw William Osula feature prominently for Sheffield United in the Premier League.
He made 24 appearances across all competitions, including 21 in the Premier League. While he didn't score in the league, Osula made a significant impact in the FA Cup, scoring 3 goals in 2 appearances. His most notable performance came on January 6, 2024, when he scored a brace in a 4-0 FA Cup victory over Gillingham, marking his first senior goals for Sheffield United. Osula's Premier League debut came in the season opener against Crystal Palace in August 2023.
Throughout the season, he primarily featured as a substitute, gaining valuable experience at the top level of English football. His performances demonstrated his potential, with an xG (Expected Goals) of 1.65 in limited minutes, suggesting he was getting into good scoring positions despite not finding the net in the league. Despite Sheffield United's struggles in the Premier League, Osula's development continued, and he showed glimpses of his talent against top-tier opposition.
His ability to contribute in cup competitions while adapting to the demands of Premier League football highlighted his potential as a young striker. On August 8, 2024, Newcastle United announced the signing of William Osula from Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee, reportedly worth up to £15 million including add-ons. The move to Newcastle represented a significant step in Osula's career, joining a club with ambitions of challenging for European places. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe praised Osula's potential, highlighting the club's excitement about working with the young forward in the next stage of his development.
National team
Osula's international career has focused on representing Denmark at the youth level. He was called up to a training camp for the Denmark U19s in February 2022 and made his debut for the U19 team in a friendly match against Hungary on February 23, 2022. Osula's performances at the club level earned him a promotion to Denmark's U21 squad, where he made his debut on June 16, 2023. Since then, he has accumulated 6 appearances for the Denmark U21 team, scoring 1 goal.
Osula's involvement in Denmark's youth setup demonstrates his potential as a future senior international. Born to a Danish mother and a Nigerian father, Osula's multicultural background provides him with potential options for international representation, though he has thus far committed to Denmark.
Player’s style
Osula's style of play is characterized by his attributes as a modern center-forward. Standing at 1.86 meters tall, he possesses a good physical presence that allows him to compete effectively in aerial duels and hold up play. Osula's goal-scoring ability is evident from his performances at both youth and senior levels, with a particular knack for finding the net in cup competitions.
His playing style combines elements of a traditional target man with the mobility required in contemporary football. Osula demonstrates good movement off the ball, often making runs into channels to create space for himself and teammates. While his Premier League goal tally is yet to reflect his potential, his xG (Expected Goals) of 1.65 in limited minutes suggests he gets into good scoring positions.
Osula's versatility allows him to play across the forward line, though he is most comfortable as a central striker. His development at Sheffield United and subsequent move to Newcastle United indicate that he is seen as a player with significant potential to impact at the highest level of English football.