New Derby County signing Ben Osborn says putting pen-to-paper on a contract with his boyhood club has been something of an ‘emotional rollercoaster.’
Osborn, who is 29, was with the Rams two decades ago as a young boy but now returns with well over 300 appearances to his name in the top two tiers of English league football alone.
In his first interview since sealing the move to Pride Park Stadium on a two-year deal, an excited Osborn spoke about his emotions at returning to Derbyshire, reflected on his last few years in football and much more.
On his reaction to joining Derby…
It has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. As soon as I left Sheffield United, I found that Derby were interested. It came out of the blue a little bit. I played here when I was really young, got released and went to the other side of the A52 for a number of years but still remained a Derby fan until I started getting close to the Forest first team. It all got a little muddled up then! I’ve gone full circle, it’s been emotional but I’m really excited to get going.
On why now was the right time to come back…
It excites me, massively. I know the club inside out, it’s a huge club with huge potential and if we can get it right here - it will be amazing. Paul Warne has been brilliant ever since I got let go by Sheffield United and I think it will be a great place to play my football. I don’t think I could have gone anywhere else and had the level of motivation that I’ve got for this one. It ticks a lot of boxes and excites me.
On the reaction of his family…
My Dad was a huge Derby fan for his whole life. When I went to Forest things got a bit messy for him, too. He unfortunately passed away a couple of months ago so its been emotional that he hasn’t seen me play for Derby County. My mum and everyone else are a bit apprehensive because it can get a lot when you’re playing for the club where you’re from, but also I know how much it means to the people of Derby which just adds to the motivation.
On his memories of being at Pride Park…
I had a season ticket here when I was growing up and was there for the promotion season under Billy Davies in 2006/07. The first time I was involved as a player was when I was on the bench for Forest and lost 5-0. I didn’t come on. That was a strange experience because I had mates in the crowd. I was warming up on the sideline and watching Forest get battered. The next time I played at Pride Park when I ended up scoring the winning goal for Forest and I think you can tell by my reaction I was just totally overwhelmed. That’s when my whole life changed really, from there. It was amazing at the time and Forest fans still bring it up if I bump into them.
On what he thinks the reaction of Forest fans will be…
It’s been five years since I left Forest. I left on OK terms. I carried on wanting them to do well when I was at Sheffield United. I owe a lot to them as a club and the people there. I think most peop;e will understand my decision but there is always going to be a bit of stick and rivalry and it is what it is.
On his time with Sheffield United…
My main goal was to always play in the Premier League. It was an unbelievable first year there but the second year was tough with COVID-19 and we ended up finishing bottom. To get back up into the Premier League was another incredible experience. I improved as a player and met friends for life there.
On what Paul Warne expects from him and the team next season…
He spoke to me about how he wants to attack next season and how he wants to attack the league, which I’m all for. We spoke about my position and the characters he wants to bring into the team and the culture he wants to build. I was all over it. Living in the area, I knew quite a lot anyway. I saw Derby a few times last season. We both see the club on an upward trajectory and it’s good to be a part of.
On what a young Ben Osborn would say to this now…
He probably wouldn’t believe it. It’s so strange and it’s taken a bit to get my head around it. Even over the last few years when chatting with Derby fans, it never crossed my mind that I would ever play for the club but as soon as it started becoming real over the last few weeks I started getting excited.
