Get an in-depth look into our newest recruit: Omari Mrisho.

Chris Agutter has reunited with one of his former youth players for the second time this season, with the Head Coach utilising his connections to bring in some real quality already this term.

Following on from Charlton Athletic goalkeeper, Tommy Reid, a talented shot stopper who worked with Agutter at Brighton & Hove Albion, the boss welcomes another former Seagull to his side with the arrival of Omari Mrisho on loan from Huddersfield Town.

Born in England but with Gambian heritage, Mrisho’s footballing journey began at the AMEX as a schoolboy, spending four years on the South Coast as he began his development into the powerful, energetic right back he is today, before making the switch up north at the age of 16.

Initially making the move to West Yorkshire in July 2022, having played as a trialist for the Under-17 side during 2021/22, Omari went on to train under George Danaher and Oran Thompson and gained minutes through a bespoke games programme consisting of EFL fixtures. He rapidly rose through the Huddersfield ranks, progressing through the Under-17s and Under-19s before graduating for the Club’s B Team just a year on from his arrival at the John Smith Stadium.

His performances within the youth setup saw him rewarded with his first professional contract in May 2024, and was a recognition of the improvement made within his game and potential to get even better. He had so far matched his raw talent and ability with proper application, while displaying versatility to play on the flank as well as at the heart of the Terriers’ backline, while also very briefly playing up front during the early days of his life at Huddersfield.

On the whole though, his development has seen him establish himself as a confident presence at full-back, being utilised in both back fours and back threes, the latter seeing him asked to push higher in more of a wing-back position, and he began to build upon and continue the hard work already done at the time of his well-deserved two-year deal, which would keep him at the club until 2026.

His attitude and application within the academy resulted is in his first inclusion in the first team, getting the call by manager Michael Duff to be named on the bench in a League One clash away at Walsall in August 2024, joining academy teammate Cameron Aisha as an unused substitute in a 3-2 defeat against the Saddlers. Nonetheless though, it was an invaluable experience for the young defender, receiving his maiden first team call-up at the age of just 18, and was a testament to his work ethic and desire to improve.

Academy Manager, Jon Worthington had described Omari as a player with all the natural talent, physicality and intelligence to make it as a professional player, and this became a reality earlier this season when, with the eyes of the First Team never being far away from the B team, he received his moment in a Vertu Trophy defeat against Harrogate Town. With Lynden Gooch still working his way back to full fitness after a calf problem, Mrisho took his place shortly before the hour-mark to make his senior professional and Club debut, completing his rise from the Under-17s just three years earlier, and seeing him come on a long way since his arrival at the club.

Photo Credit: Huddersfield Town Football Club

Mrisho almost topped it off with a debut goal on two separate occasions, displaying his attacking mindset when he ventured forward on the overlap before curling a shot with his weaker foot inches wide of the target, before again finding himself at the end of a sweeping move before bursting into the box and flashing a first-time effort across the face of goal. He even turned provider late on with what could have been a crucial assist, teeing up Alfie May for a late drive that was cleared in the nick of time to seal a narrow victory for the Sulphurites.

Despite being on the losing side, it marked an important and unforgettable milestone in Omari’s short career so far, and is now set to embark on a key point in his development. Consistent senior football is on the horizon with his first loan move away from the Terriers, and Sutton will be an important chapter in what is destined to be a successful career within the beautiful game.