Ebeguowen "Owen" Otasowie (born January 6, 2001) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a defensive midfielder.
Early life Otasowie was born in New York City to Nigerian parents, and moved to Peckham at a young age to live with his aunt and cousins. He didn't take up soccer until his early teens when he started playing with his friends, and quickly realized he was quite good.
Club career At the age of 14, Otasowie joined the Mass Elite Academy, based in Battersea, which recruits youngsters from local Saturday and Sunday teams. The academy was established in 2013 to provide a developmental pathway for young, unsigned players, helping them secure professional club contracts. The academy would arrange friendlies against youth academies of professional clubs. He went on trial with Birmingham City and Ipswich Town, even training with West Ham United.
He was spotted by staff from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a friendly against Wolves' academy at the under-16 level and was offered a scholarship to join them in 2016.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Otasowie immediately impressed at the academy. In early 2018, it was rumoured he had interest from numerous clubs across Europe including Everton, Juventus, Ajax, and Schalke 04 but continued with Wolves. Otasowie had a serious knee injury while with the academy which required multiple operations, eventually recovering in 2019 and playing for the U-23 side.
After progressing from the youth academy, Otasowie made his senior debut for the side as a substitute in Wolves' final UEFA Europa League group match of the 2019–20 edition against Beşiktaş on December 12, 2019. On January 1, 2020, Otasowie signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with Wolves.
On December 15, 2020, Otasowie made his Premier League debut for Wolves as a substitute on for Leander Dendoncker in a 2–1 home win over Chelsea, providing an assist for Daniel Podence. Otasowie had his first Premier League start in their following game, away at Burnley, on December 21, 2020.
Club Brugge On August 20, 2021, Otasowie made a permanent move to Club Brugge of the Belgian First Division A for a reported fee of £3.5 million. Otasowie made his debut for Club on July 17, 2022, during their 2022 Belgian Super Cup victory over Gent.
In November 2022, Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad reported Otasowie had stopped being paid by Club Brugge after going absent without leave a number of times.
International career Otasowie is eligible to represent the United States, England or Nigeria.
After representing the United States at the under-18 level, Otasowie received his first call up to the senior United States squad for matches against Wales and Panama in November 2020. He made his senior debut on November 12, 2020, coming on in the 87th minute of a 0–0 draw against Wales in Swansea.
Personal life He is a Burberry model. In 2021, Otasowie founded fashion brand Carsicko.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsWolverhampton Wanderers2019–20Premier League00000010—102020–21Premier League600000——60Total600000100070Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s2019–20 EFL Trophy————30302020–21 EFL Trophy————2020Total————5050Club Brugge2021–22Belgian Pro League0000—00—002022–23Belgian Pro League1000—001020Total1000—001020Club NXT2022–23Challenger Pro League40————40Career total11000001060180
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsUnited States202010Total10
Honors Club Brugge Belgian Super Cup: 2022
References
External links