Who is Ibrahim Osman? Brighton 'sign' latest starlet from Right to Dream academy

Brighton and Hove Albion have developed a reputation for their brilliant ability to recruit incredibly talented youngsters and Ibrahim Osman could be next. The Seagulls have agreed a deal with Nordsjaelland to sign Osman for an initial fee of €19.5 million and he will undergo medical tests ahead of a summer transfer, according to the Athletic. 

Osman only made his professional debut for Nordsjaelland last February but his impressive performances in the Danish top-flight have attracted interest from major European clubs. West Ham were strongly linked with the 19-year-old during the January window but David Moyes’ men couldn’t complete a deal and Brighton have won the race for Osman’s services. 

Who is Ibrahim Osman? 

Osman is a Ghanaian attacker, who is comfortable playing on either wing or as the central striker. His talent was spotted by the Right to Dream academy in his homeland and he progressed through the programme, which has produced some exciting talent in recent years. Right to Dream became the first-African organisation to buy a European club when they purchased Nordsjaelland in 2015. They also set-up a youth academy in Denmark and that’s where Osman developed before joining Nordsjaelland. He made his debut against Odense in February 2023 and he became a regular starter this season, scoring four goals and providing five assists in 29 games. Osman has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the last 12 months and he’s joining one of the best clubs for developing young players in Brighton. 

Right to Dream academy's most famous graduates 

The academy was founded in Ghana by former Manchester United scout Tom Vernon in 1999 to facilitate brighter futures for young players in Africa. Its headquarters housed 100 students from 2010 and they made the historic purchase of Nordsjaelland just five years later. Right to Dream academy has produced several notable players in recent years, who have progressed at Nordsjaelland before transferring to European clubs to become household names. Their most famous graduate is Mohammed Kudus, with the West Ham United star now valued at €45m.

Kudus developed at Nordsjaelland before moving to Ajax for €9m in 2020 with West Ham splashing out €40m to sign him last summer. Osman will join fellow Right to Dream academy graduate Simon Adingra at Brighton after the Seagulls signed him from Nordsjaelland in 2022. Adingra spent last season on loan at Union SG before becoming a regular under Roberto de Zerbi this campaign with 23 appearances so far. Ernest Nuamah moved to RWD Molenbeek for €25m in 2023 with Kamaldeen Sulemana transferring to Stade Rennais for €17m in 2021 before moving to Southampton last January. While Osman is widely regarded as the best talent at Nordsjaelland, Mohamed Diomande was also one of their best youngsters but he joined Rangers last month on loan with an option-to-buy.

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