TEENAGER Callum Osmand’s aspiration for the new year is to “gain exposure to senior-level professional football”, after an outstanding run of form for Fulham FC U21s culminated in the Jerseyman winning the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award.
Osmand, who relocated from Jersey to pursue his footballing dreams, has been with the West London club since the tender age of 13.
Fulham’s academy is renowned as one of the country’s best, gaining Category One status in 2012 and their U21s’ endeavours in this season’s Premier League 2 underscore the abundance of talent pouring out of Motspur Park training ground.
Osmand has led his side from the front to eight wins from nine, three points adrift of leaders Man City with a game in hand.
The Caesarean centre-forward has proved unstoppable in the first half of the campaign, with seven league goals and four assists from nine games, leaving many Fulham fans on social media crying out to see the Islander in Marco Silva’s first team plans moving forward.
He also scored his first hat-trick of the season in Fulham U21s 5-3 victory against Hertha BSC in the Premier League International Cup.
“I feel like I’m progressing well at Fulham,” said the 19-year-old.
“For me, it’s just about trying to better myself every day.
“Fulham is a great place to be, I’m really happy here.”
Despite only recently turning 19, Osmand was exposed to U21 football at the back end of last season, and has found the transition to be a “smooth one”.
“The guys in the team are players I have grown up with through the years.
“Obviously, I spent some time with the U21s last season, so the progress and the step up has felt like a smooth one.
“We are playing great this season, so it’s been really fun to be a part of the team and obviously contribute with some goals and assists.
“It is a massive privilege to be part of this side and playing with top quality players day in, day out.”
Osmand’s progression has been consistent through the age groups, with Fulham’s academy coaches full of praise for both the Caesarean’s ability, but importantly his work ethic.
Fulham has proved a club willing to give Jersey talent an opportunity at the highest level, and many parallels can be drawn with Luke Harris, someone who Osmand has looked up to during his journey.
Harris made four starts for the first-team, before a fruitful loan spell at Exeter City, onto this campaign’s loan to Birmingham.
Osmand, like Harris, chose to represent Wales and has turned out for The Dragons at age-group level.
“I think my main goal for the new year would be to get some exposure to men’s football” he said.
“Obviously that opportunity can come in many different forms. But it’s about making the next step, pushing on, and getting myself involved in men’s football.
“If I carry on scoring and assisting to help the U21s, that will give me every chance.”
