Who is KJ Osu? The man wanted by West Brom, Wrexham, Huddersfield and Barnsley | OneFootball

Every season, EFL clubs are on the lookout for not just players to improve their first-teams, but also developmental players that could be nurtured into future stars.

And especially since the rise of Jamie Vardy from Stocksbridge Park Steels to Fleetwood Town, all the way to becoming a Premier League winner and England international, clubs from higher levels are now seemingly more open to scouting non-league players to see if they can be worked on.

The latest to be on the radar of clubs is Olukayode 'KJ' Osu, who is currently plying his trade for Berkshire-based Bracknell Town in the Southern League Premier Division South - the seventh tier of English football and three promotions away from League Two.

According to a report from TEAMtalk at the weekend, a whole host of clubs are looking at the 21-year-old, who has impressed in the Robins' run to the FA Cup First Round Proper.

Championship duo West Brom and Huddersfield Town, League One side Barnsley and ambitious League Two club Wrexham are all believed to have scouted Osu whilst he has been playing for Bracknell.

However, the chase is reportedly being led by Sheffield United of the Premier League, who are no stranger to taking punts on non-league players, as showed when they signed Jili Buyabu from Hornchurch in December 2021.

Who is KJ Osu?

Osu, who turns 22 in November, has had a very travelled career so far for a youngster, with his youth clubs including Fulham and Aldershot Town.

He joined a professional club once more in 2020 as he swapped Staines Town for AFC Wimbledon, where he linked up with the Dons' under-18's squad.

Just a few months later though, Osu signed for Belgian side Roselaere, playing for their under-21's for a few months, but the club were soon dissolved after financial troubles - they were owned by current Reading FC chief Dai Yongge at the time.

Osu moved on to Italian lower league side APC Chions and then returned to England in 2021, dropping into the non-league scene again and since 2021 has played for Hartley Wintney, Bedfont Sports, Bracknell, Farnham Town and Ashford.

Returning to Bracknell earlier in 2023, Osu has been impressive in defence for Town and with more eyes seeing him against Dagenham & Redbridge of the National League recently in the final qualifying round of the FA Cup, Osu is beginning to get more noticed for his performances.

What would be the best destination for KJ Osu?

Nearing the age of 2022, Osu might now be finally finding himself after bouncing around plenty of non-league clubs in the last two years.

And the upcoming First Round FA Cup clash with Cambridge could be a perfect platform for Osu to get more noticed against a League One team, which will give scouts a better idea of what level he's playing at.

There are a few clubs that Osu may be better equipped for than others that have been linked, with Barnsley in particular being a club that gives a chance to players from the lower league - they added Jack Shepherd from Pontefract Collieries in the summer so they have a track record of giving unexpected chances.

Should Wrexham be keen though, then there's no doubt that Osu would be tempted with that project, but Sheffield United could also offer him a significant payrise and very good facilties to train in, even at under-21 level.