Chelsea have signed young Irish defender Justin Osagie, only a year after he was released by Celtic.
The 20-year-old joins the club’s Under-21 squad after impressing during a short trial that convinced coaches he deserved a permanent deal.
Osagie’s career has already had plenty of twists. Born in Dublin, he started out at West Ham United before moving to Celtic’s B team in 2022.
Under coach Darren O’Dea, he played in the Lowland League, gaining early experience in senior football. But despite showing promise, he found regular minutes hard to come by, sitting behind Mitchell Robertson and Lenny Agbaire in the defensive pecking order.
After leaving Celtic in 2024, Osagie spent a short spell with Peterborough United, where his performances caught the attention of Chelsea scouts. A successful trial followed, and the Premier League club have now confirmed him as their latest academy signing. He’ll begin his new chapter with the development squad in the Premier League 2 competition.
The move reflects Chelsea’s focus on signing young players with potential from across Europe. Osagie’s pace, composure, and ability to play confidently out from the back make him a good fit for their style of football.
Soccer Football – Conference League – Semi Final – Second Leg – Chelsea v Djurgarden – Stamford Bridge, London, Britain – May 8, 2025 Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella in action with Djurgarden’s Keita Kosugi Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
For Osagie, it marks a huge turnaround. Just a year after leaving Celtic without a senior appearance, he now finds himself at one of the biggest clubs in the world, training alongside top young talents and working under some of the best academy coaches in England.
It’s also a story of perseverance. Football can change quickly, and Osagie’s rise from the Lowland League to Chelsea’s Cobham training ground proves how hard work and belief can turn a setback into a second chance. From being released in Glasgow to earning a spot in London, Justin Osagie’s move shows how quickly fortunes can change when opportunity meets determination.
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