Leon Osman

Leon Osman (born May 17, 1981 in Higher End, in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, England) is a professional football (soccer) player currently playing for Everton F.C.. He grew up in Skelmersdale and Huyton. He also went to Upholland High School.

His younger brother, Carl Osman, also a former Everton Youth, used to play for his home town team, Northern Premier League team, Skelmersdale United F.C]. He now plays for Cammell Laird F.C].

Early career

Leon Osman is undoubtedly one of the most talented midfielders to come through the Everton Academy. As part of Everton's youth team Osman won the 1998 FA Youth Cup alongside Richard Dunne, Francis Jeffers and current Everton player Tony Hibbert. Osman sustained a bad knee injury which kept him out of action for a whole year following the Youth cup victory and many believed he would never be the same player again.

Osman was loaned to Carlisle United in October 2002 where he became an instant hit, winning their "Player of the month" award in his first season. He returned back to Everton in January 2003 and scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over the reserve side of Manchester United.

He was granted a one year extension to his contract in the summer of 2003, yet he failed to break into the first team until the back end of the 2003/04 season. Many believe it was his loan spell at Derby County F.C. (where he impressed then manager George Burley who subsequently tried to buy him from Everton,) that put him in David Moyes' plans.

Derby fans still hold Leon in high regard despite only being with the club for 3 months.

Leon Osman is half Turkish-Cypriot with his dad residing in Northern Cyprus, however in a Question and Answer session on the Everton website, he revealed that, although both countries have asked him to play for them, he's only eligible for England. [areerAfter returning from Derby with three games remaining in Everton's season, Moyes gave Osman his first start, aged 23, against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Osman took his chance and scored within 3 minutes of his debut.

Leon was raring to go for Everton in the 2004/05 season and became a first team regular playing on the right wing. In that season Moyes usually played a 4-1-4-1 system where the wingers (usually himself and Kevin Kilbane) could effectively work as two extra strikers when needed. Kilbane only scored one goal in this season whereas Leon scored seven including a brace against Aston Villa

In the 2005/06 season Moyes at first preferred his new signing Simon Davies to Leon but in time he re-established himself in the team and put Davies down the pecking order. Osman scored a late equalising goal against Millwall in the FA Cup to force a replay which Everton won. His goal tally isn't as clear cut as the previous season. It was initially down as six but the dubious goals committee took two goals off him (now own goals) but Everton rightly recognise both as Leon Osman goals. Also this season Leon played in a wider variety of positions. He played on both wings, in the centre and also played off James Beattie after the sale of Marcus Bent.

Osman started the FA Premier League 2006-07 in brilliant form. This prompted manager David Moyes to back the midfielder for a call up to Steve McClaren England squad. McClaren was present at the Blackburn vs Everton match in which Osman put in a man of the match performance. Many believe Leon Osman has the skill, vision and intelligence to cope at international level. On Football Manager, he plays for Turkey.