Derby County have secured England youth international David Ozoh on a season‑long loan from Premier League side Crystal Palace. The 19 year old, born in Valencia to Nigerian parents, joins the Rams for the 2024/25 Championship campaign.
Ozoh began his journey in England after joining Palace’s academy at age eight, signing professional terms in August 2022. He made history early by becoming the youngest-ever Premier League player for Crystal Palace at just 17. Last season he featured 12 times for Palace, with nine appearances in the Premier League.
Selecting Derby County was a deliberate choice. Palace viewed the East Midlands club, recently promoted back to the Championship, as the ideal environment for his development. Manager Paul Warne’s style and a strong platform for academy graduates made Derby stand out.
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Ozoh is now set to wear the iconic number 4 shirt at Pride Park, previously donned by Super Eagles midfielder Blessing Kaku. He has already made his debut appearance in a pre‑season friendly.
Editorial
We welcome the move by Derby County to bring in David Ozoh. From our standpoint, this is a smart loan arrangement that prioritises talent growth over short‑term gain. At Derby, Ozoh is likely to receive regular playing time, which is vital at this stage of his career.
Palace’s decision to send him to Derby reflects a considered development strategy. The Championship, known for its physical and tactical demands, will test Ozoh’s adaptability and maturity. Derby’s supportive coaching environment offers a suitable stage for him to refine his strengths.
His Nigerian heritage adds an international dimension. As one eligible for England, Spain, and Nigeria, Ozoh represents the increasing trend of multi-national talents rising through English systems. If nurtured, he could emerge as a midfield option for the Super Eagles in the future.
Ongoing first-team exposure, coupled with responsibility of a legacy jersey number, suggests Derby expect a serious contribution. His debut in pre-season already indicated readiness to adapt. Now comes the real challenge: consistency in a competitive Football League.
We regard this as a promising partnership. For Ozoh, Derby is more than a loan—it’s an opportunity to transition from potential to performance. For Derby, it is an investment in youth with high upside. We believe this symbiosis could shape the next stage of his emerging career.
Did You Know?
- Born in Valencia, Ozoh moved to England at a young age and joined Crystal Palace’s academy at just eight years old.
- He became Palace’s youngest-ever Premier League player at 17 during a match against Newcastle United.
- Ozoh has featured for England at Under‑18 level, though he remains eligible to switch to Nigeria or Spain.
- The number 4 jersey at Derby has history: it was previously worn by Nigerian‑born Super Eagles midfielder Blessing Kaku.
- Derby County carefully won the race to sign him on loan after interest from clubs like West Brom, Luton Town, Plymouth Argyle and Cardiff City.
