By Taiwo Ibrahim Sportivation
If you have been following the Major League Soccer this season, there is no way you won’t have heard about a Nigerian that is shining like a gold fish in the colours of FC Dallas, Sportivationng.com reports.
Osaze Urhoghide has been a key player for FC Dallas in the MLS with his impressive performances, popping up with match-winning goals from the defence.
A few weeks back, He scored against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami to cap it off with his brilliant defensive showing, marshalling the visitors’ backline like a general in the battlefield.
FC Dallas were trailing 3-1 before Osaze showed his never-say-die attitude to begin the fightback which earned them a 4-3 victory, making it the club’s largest comeback victory since 2011.
What you need to know About Osaze Urhoghide
Osaze was born in Nijmegen, Netherlands to Nigerian parents before moving to England as a child. He plays as a central defender.
He signed his first professional contract with AFC Wimbledon in April 2018 before joining Sheffield Wednesday.
At Sheffield Wednesday, he started showing glimpses of his quality which earned him the club’s February 2021 player of the month.
Not long after winning over the fans, coaching staff, and even opponents, Osaze started attracting interest from the likes of Crystal Palace, Club Brugge, Leeds United, Watford, and Celtic.
In the summer of 2021, Osaze opted to continue his development at Celtic, where he made his debut for the club in their Europa League clash against Real Betis.
In January 2022, he joined Belgian side KV Oostende on loan until the end of the season before extending the deal to the whole of the 2022-23 season.
Osaze’s stunning performances did not go unnoticed in Belgium before French Ligue 1 side Amiens snapped him up in 2023.
At Amiens, he flourished like the biblical palm tree, where he was part of a backline that earned the second-best defensive record in Ligue 2 last season.
It was time for Osaze to be on the move again like the proverbial gold fish that has no hiding place.
FC Dallas came calling in February 2025, looking for defensive reinforcements ahead of the new MLS season.
Osaze joined the club in a deal worth $3.1 million, making him the club’s third-largest incoming transfer behind Petar Musa and Alan Velasco. He signed a four-year deal.
FC Dallas Chief Soccer Officer André Zanotta, confessed that the club had been monitoring Osaze for some time before breaking the bank to beat other clubs to his signature.
He said: “Osaze is a player that we’ve been watching for some time. He went through the whole process of our scouting and the information we got was very, very positive. We were looking for a central defender that is fast, physical, with a great mentality and he has all those attributes.
Zanotta opened up on the qualities that endeared Osaze to FC Dallas.
He concluded: He’s super fast, he’s good in the air and he’s still young at 24 years old. He’s happy to come to MLS and we feel he’s going to be an important addition at a position we need to address.”
Osaze has surpassed expectations at FC Dallas with the team’s coach, Eric Quill showering encomiums on him for his stunning performances for the club in less than three months of joining.
Quill said: “Osaze has brought more than I ever thought anyone could bring.
“He’s not just a natural talent, he’s got technique, he’s got a mentality, he’s an amazing teammate and humble. His numbers physically are something I’ve never seen from the center back position.
“He’s been a breath of fresh air for this organization and he leads by example which is powerful for our locker room. He has a big future ahead of him, he hasn’t reached his ceiling yet which is scary to think about. I’ve been amazed each week watching him play.”
Osaze has started all FC Dallas 12 matches in the MLS this season, playing 90 minutes in all the games to further reaffirm his importance to the team.
The 24-year-old has been one of the best defenders in the league with impressive numbers, he currently boasts of 89% percentage in aerial challenges won, 85th percentage in tackles won, 92nd percentage for tackles won in the defensive third, 74th percentage in blocked shots, and 77th percentage in clearances.
Aside from being blessed with enormous potential, Osaze also possesses a top mentality required to be successful in modern day football – constant improvement mindset, which sets world class players apart from the average.
Osaze has expressed his desire to improve despite the praises from his coach, teammates, and the club’s supporters.
He said: “I want to continue to grow in my range of passing, add different kinds of passing, and continue to grow in the game.
“Because the game is a lot about problem solving, so improving my football IQ, so when I see things I can inform my teammates or just change how we’re playing without instructions from the coaches – because sometimes we can’t hear the coaches. It’s about improving your knowledge of the game and trying to play smarter and grow the understanding of the game.”
Osaze also provided an hint on his style of play, which has endeared him to the fans of FC Dallas and even their opponents.
He said: “I’m a very committed player that likes to work for the team, to do the work that many people don’t like to do.
“There’ll be a lot of tackling, a lot of duels and winning the ball, and just breaking up the play and setting up our counter attacks. So there’ll be a lot of energy, a lot of tackling and a lot of aggression as well. So that’s really most of my game, and I’m gonna do the best to help the team to get where we’re supposed to be.”
With the Super Eagles backline in need of fresh legs, Osaze Urhoghide will be a great addition to the team bringing his solidity to the team, coupled with his ball-playing ability, sprinkled with tactical intelligence.
He is also blessed with top-notch aerial prowess, which makes him a threat at both ends, and he is also composed under pressure.
Osaze has expressed his desire to play for the Super Eagles.
He said: “I am ready to play for my fatherland, Nigeria. I have informed family members of my readiness to play for the Eagles. I am also using this opportunity to let the Nigeria Football Federation know that I am ready.”
Osaze will be back in action for FC Dallas at home against Houston Dynamo in the MLS on Sunday.
