Osman Foyo said he can definitely anticipate himself getting goals for his new side, having trained for the first time following his loan move from AFC Wimbledon.
The 21-year old made the temporary switch from Plough Lane after appearing six times in the Dons’ promotion-winning campaign from League Two last season, making the rapid rise from the National League South following loan spells away from former club Ipswich Town.
After arriving at Gander Green Lane for the first time as a Sutton player, Foyo was taken for a tour of his new home before preparing to meet his new teammates for the first time, and took part in training ahead of the visit of FC Halifax Town. He then ended his first day as a U by completing his media duties, before sitting down with Sutton United FCtv to discuss his career, so far, where he expressed his excitement after completing his move, eager to begin working with his new teammates and coaching staff.
“I’m excited to be here, I’m excited to get started tomorrow. From the minute I heard about potentially coming here I thought good things and I have good faith in the gaffer and teammates here.”
“Being in training I was quite surprised at the level of quality that there was in the training session so I’m excited to get going.”
The Netherlands-born forward moved to England at a young age, making the move across Europe with his family shortly before his fifth birthday, and after growing up overseas, he reflected on an upbringing that shaped his character prior to his progression through the youth systems in England, including a major step into a Premier League academy.
“I was born in Utrecht, which was quite different for me to learn another language and coming over here I’ve kind of forgotten a lot of it but I did have good memories over there with my family.”
“I immediately learned the level of quality, going from a youth level in an academy to joining Chelsea academy was quite a big jump and I really learned a lot from it.
We used to often go over just to watch the likes of Eden Hazard and David Luiz train so it was quite an exciting thing. They were incredible role models.”
After departing Chelsea, Foyo found himself over in East Anglia for the next six years. Moving away from home at a young age demanded maturity, something he believes played an important role in his development, and he revealed that the challenges of those early years still drive him today.
“Just being away from family you almost become a man by yourself, I had to fend for myself, I had other friends who did the same thing so we kind of bonded all together.”
“I think that gives me motivation, I think I wasn’t nervous as much as I am now back then, now I’ve got a whole nother gear to get to so it’s just motivation for me to keep going.”
His time at Ipswich saw him rise into the first team during a pre-season tour in Germany, and led to him gaining crucial experience under manager Kieran McKenna.
“It was a great opportunity to get called up and travel with them and I learned so much about the level of quality, the level of intensity that you’ve got to train to every day.”
“He [McKenna] was a great manager, while I was on loan he always asked how I was doing, he was a very good person and a good manager.”
Despite a successful rise at Portman Road though, Foyo found himself moving to AFC Wimbledon in search of a clearer path into the first team, and saw him get the chance to play alongside a couple of former Sutton players, including Omar Bugiel and Ali Smith, two players during the U’s success under Matt Gray.
In addition, he has also played alongside Kai Jennings, Kane Crichlow and David Aziaya at Wimbledon, Chelmsford and Norwich, while his time at Ipswich also saw him share a pitch with last season’s Young Player of the Year, Finley Barbrook.
“While I was at Wimbledon I spoke to Omar [Bugiel] and Smudge [Ali Smith] and they said good things about the club, they said that’s where it clicked for them to move onto bigger clubs.”
“Knowing lads I’ve played with at different clubs and seeing them here, it was automatically a click when I walked into the changing room this morning.”
Reflecting on his senior football journey so far, he also highlighted the importance of every loan spell within non-league and touched on how it differed from youth football, while his development saw him make the jump up from regular football in the National League South to League Two in the blink of an eye; a side who went on to gain promotion to League One.
“I think my first two loans spells at Torquay and Welling were learning opportunities for me and I think at Chelmsford was really where I took my chances and made an impact properly but it was definitely a great opportunity to learn.”
“Me and Ipswich looked at the current situation and knew it was time for me to take the next step from youth football to mens football so I think it was the right choice.”
“At first it was all new to me going from the National League South to going into League Two and I think the first couple months I had to adjust to it and I think later on I got used to it so it was definitely good for me.”
“I made my debut against Gillingham, it was a great feeling to make that debut and finally get onto the pitch after training for so long, I just wanted to get on the pitch.”
“I almost felt like a lucky person going from playing in the National League South to getting promoted to League One. I was buzzing for the boys that played and it was a great feeling.”
Looking ahead, Foyo said he believes his strengths fit perfectly with the team’s style and expectations, citing Erling Haaland and Aleksandar Isak as inspirations, while he claimed Chris Agutter’s aggressive, attacking style will suit him to a tee.
“I’m powerful, I’m quick, I’m very direct, me and the gaffer have both seen what I can do and he’s seen that I’m fit for the team, so I’m looking forward to going out there and doing what I do.”
“From what I saw today in training I definitely picture myself being aggressive and getting goals.”
