Jersey teenager signs contract with Premiership side Fulham

Thursday 13 July 2023

A local teenager has signed professional terms with Premiership side Fulham – following in the footsteps of fellow islander Luke Harris.

Callum Osmand (17) has been part of the West London club’s academy since the age of 13 and has agreed his first professional contract with the Cottagers, after Harris pledged his future to Fulham last September.

Osmand said: "I am just so happy to have signed. Fulham are a great club and have an impressive history of developing young players. There was no doubt in the decision for me.

"It wasn’t the easiest start to the season but, once I got my minutes, I managed to show my talent and do well for the rest of the games.

"I had a lot of role models to look up to. It would be great to be that sort of person for the younger kids to look up to.

"It shows that it is possible [to come] from Jersey and have this outcome and a career in football."

Both Osmand and Harris, who made his top-flight debut last season, were scouted by the experienced Malcolm Elias, who has developed a key relationship with the Jersey FA Performance Centre, after many years of attendance at the Jersey Primary Schools’ Football Festival.

Pictured: Jersey's Luke Harris made his first-team competitive debut last year.

Osmand was first noticed by Elias at the festival as an under-11 player.

He made a everlasting impression and the scout came back to the island to watch the Welsh U17 international at the JFA Performance Centre.

Sadly for Osmand, the rules for signing players from the Channel Islands at the time forced him and his family to relocate to the mainland to continue his dream.

That leap of faith at such a young age has paid off as the Caesarean looks to continue his Fulham journey as a professional.

He said: "I owe my family a lot for making the sacrifice of moving over when I was young.

"I wouldn’t have had the opportunities to learn and grow within a top club like Fulham and the chance to play at a high level.

"There is a big pool of fish in England and learning alongside those players does really help make you a better player."

Despite having just signed his first professional contract, the islander remains very grounded, with his main focus set on excelling next season.

"I would love to have a really good season with the under-18s and start the year strongly," said Osmand.

"I want to be among the goals and assists and contribute as best as I can.

"From there, the goal will be to push on and try to get some minutes for the under-21s."

The attacking midfielder had to bide his time in Ali Melloul’s Fulham U18’s side last season, spending a large chunk early on in the campaign on the bench.

However, when the opportunity arose, he seized the chance, netting nine times in 18 appearances in all competitions.

Furthermore, the Caesarean made himself the hero against Rochdale in the FA Youth Cup, scoring in the 89th minute to seal a 4-3 win for the Londoners.