Osmar Barba Ibáñez (; born 5 June 1988), known simply as Osmar, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or a central defender for K League 2 club Seoul E-Land.
Developed at Racing de Santander, he spent the vast majority of his career in South Korea, making more than 300 appearances for FC Seoul and winning the 2016 K League Classic with the club. He also played in Thailand and Japan.
Club career Racing Santander Born in Santoña, Osmar was a product of local Racing de Santander's youth system. After a loan stint at CD Salmantino in the Tercera División he returned to his first club for 2008–09, making his senior debut with the reserves in the Segunda División B and being their top scorer; he suffered relegation the following season.
On 8 November 2009, Osmar made his debut with the Cantabrians' first team, starting in a 2–0 La Liga home loss against Athletic Bilbao. He was definitely promoted to the main squad for the 2010–11 campaign, but appeared in only 12 more games across two seasons, with the second ending in relegation.
Buriram United On 25 July 2012, Osmar signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Thai Premier League side Buriram United F.C. for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut on 1 August in a Thai FA Cup match against Chonburi FC, going on to win both that tournament and the Thai League Cup in his first year.
Osmar made his debut in the AFC Champions League on 26 February 2013, scoring in the 1–1 group-stage draw at Vegalta Sendai. On 1 May, Buriram became the first team from the nation in a decade to reach the knockout rounds of the tournament, and he topped his side's scorers list at three.
South Korea On 31 December 2013, Osmar moved teams and countries again, joining FC Seoul on a three-year deal and becoming the first Spanish footballer to ever play in South Korea. He was appointed vice-captain ahead of the 2015 season, appearing in the all matches and minutes to set a new record for a foreign field player in the K League 1.
Before the start of the following campaign, Osmar was chosen as Seoul's new captain, becoming the first foreigner in its history to hold the position. He helped his side to win the national title, being the first Spanish player to do so in the process.
On 21 February 2018, Osmar agreed to a loan at J1 League's Cerezo Osaka. In December, he signed a new three-year contract with Seoul.
Osmar left the Seoul World Cup Stadium at the end of the 2023 season, after not having his contract renewed. During his spell, he totalled 344 games, 25 goals and 12 assists; at the time of his departure, he held the club record for the highest number of appearances by a foreign player and was second only to Go Yo-han in an all-team list.
On 10 January 2024, Osmar joined Seoul E-Land FC of K League 2.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals Racing B 2008–09 Segunda División B306————3062009–10 Segunda División B321————321Total627————627Racing Santander2009–10 La Liga1010———202010–11La Liga4000———402011–12La Liga8030———110Total13040———170Buriram United 2012Thai Premier League4010——502013Thai Premier League306103103—5012Total346113103—5512FC Seoul 2014K League Classic34240—111—4932015K League Classic38330—71—4842016K League Classic37460—110—5442017K League Classic33420—40—3942019K League 131410———3242020K League 115110—61—2222021K League 135110———3612022K League 124150———2912023K League 135200———352Total28222230—393—34425Cerezo Osaka (loan)2018J1 League17230200010232Seoul E-Land2024 K League 228700——313182025K League 236300——10373Total641000——416811Career total47247413204965156957
Honours Buriram United Thai Premier League: 2013 Thai FA Cup: 2012, 2013 Thai League Cup: 2012, 2013 Kor Royal Cup: 2013
FC Seoul K League 1: 2016 Korean FA Cup: 2015
Individual Fans' AFC Champions League XI: 2016 Thai Premier League Defender of the Year: 2013 Thai Premier League Best XI: 2013 K League Best XI: 2016
Notes
References
External links