David Ikechukwu Ozoh (born 6 May 2005) is a professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for EFL Championship club Derby County, on loan from Premier League club Crystal Palace. Born in Spain, he is a youth international for England.
Ozoh joined the Crystal Palace academy at the age of 8. He worked his way up their youth age groups, playing for the U18 and U23 sides. On 11 August 2022, he signed his first professional contract with the club.[3] He made his professional debut for Crystal Palace as a late substitute in a 0–0 Premier League draw with Newcastle United on 21 January 2023, becoming the club's youngest ever debutant in the Premier League at the age of 17.[4] In the 2023–24 season, Ozoh played 12 times for the first team.
On 24 July 2024, Ozoh joined Derby County of the Championship on loan until the end of the 2024–25 season.[5] On 9 August 2024, he made his debut for the club in a 2–4 loss against Blackburn Rovers in the league.[6] Ozoh scored his first goal for Derby in 89th minute of a 3–0 win to Bristol City on 31 August 2024,[7] this was also first goal in senior football. Ozoh had made a strong start to his time at Derby,[8] but picked up a hamstring injury against Cardiff City on 14 September 2024 which left him sidelined for a few weeks.[9] Upon his return to training from this injury, Ozoh damaged his quad which was expected to leave him unable to play until after the November international break which would mean he would miss two-and-a-half months with both injuries.[10] Ozoh returned in January 2025, however in February 2025 he sustained a thigh injury against Millwall which ended his season, Ozoh made 10 appearances during his loan spell at Derby, scoring once.[11]
On 29 July 2025, Ozoh returned to Derby County on a further season-long loan, for the duration of the 2025–26 season.[12][13]
Ozoh was born in Valencia, Spain to Nigerian parents and moved to England at a young age.[14] He was called up to the England U18s in March 2023[15] and made his debut during a 2–1 win over Croatia in Medulin on 22 March 2023.[16]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Crystal Palace U21 | 2022–23 | — | — | — | 3[a] | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
| 2023–24 | — | — | — | 3[a] | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||||
| Total | — | — | — | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||||
| Crystal Palace | 2022–23[17] | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| 2023–24[18] | Premier League | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2024–25[19] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2025–26[20] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 13 | 0 | |||
| Derby County (loan) | 2024–25[19] | Championship | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 12 | 1 | |
| Derby County (loan) | 2025–26[20] | Championship | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | |
| Career total | 25 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 37 | 1 | ||
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