Tue 29 Jul - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 2mins
David Ozoh has returned to Pride Park Stadium for a second consecutive season-long loan with Derby County.
The technical defensive midfielder returns to the Rams to sure-up Head Coach John Eustace’s midfield deck, joining once again from parent club Crystal Palace.
Valencia-born and with parents of Nigerian heritage, Ozoh moved to England at a young age.
At the age of eight, he signed up with the Crystal Palace Academy and moved up through their ranks quickly.
Ozoh first played for Palace’s Under-18s in the 2020/21 campaign as a 15-year-old when he made four U18 Premier League outings.
The following season saw him play 23 times in that league, as well as featuring on three occasions for the Under-21s in Premier League 2.
Ozoh penned his first professional contract and joined the Under-21s on a formal basis in August 2022, going on to make 24 appearances in PL2 for the Eagles throughout 2022/23.
Having established himself at the top level of the Palace Academy, Ozoh made his debut for the first team as a substitute in a goalless draw at home to Newcastle United in January 2023.
The debut made him the youngest-ever to feature in the top-flight for the South London club – at 17 years, eight months and 15 days.
In the 2022/23 season, Ozoh played three times for the Under-21s in the EFL Trophy, which saw him gain minutes against EFL first team sides, Wycombe Wanderers, AFC Wimbledon and Stevenage.
He also featured once in the Carabao Cup for the first team, in a 3-0 defeat against Manchester United and twice for the Eagles from the bench in the FA Cup in January 2024 against Everton in the Third Round and Third Round Replay.
Last season, Ozoh sought to develop further with his first full experience of senior football. In July 2024, he made the loan switch to Derby County.
Over his time with the Rams, the now-20-year-old made 12 overall appearances, including 10 in the Sky Bet Championship – scoring one goal in black and white.
He impressed in the centre of the park, but a hamstring injury in September saw him out of action until the new year.
When Head Coach John Eustace joined Derby in February 2025, Ozoh had returned to action and played once under the new boss.
Despite a further thigh muscle setback, which ruled him out for the rest of the campaign, Ozoh remained with the Rams and impressed around the training ground – leading to Eustace seeking to regain his services for the 2025/26 season.
At international level, Ozoh has also represented England at Under-18 level on five occasions.
