FC Dallas added some much-needed reinforcement to its backline this week. Tuesday, the club announced the signing of center back Osaze Urhoghide from Amiens SC in France’s second division.
“Osaze is a player that we've been watching for some time,” said FCD Chief Soccer Officer André Zanotta. “He went through the whole process of our scouting and the information we got was very, very positive. We were looking for a central defender that is fast, physical, with a great mentality and he has all those attributes. He's super fast, he's good in the air and he's still young at 24 years old. He's happy to come to MLS and we feel he's going to be an important addition at a position we needed to address.”
Born in Nijmegen, Netherlands to Nigerian parents, Urhoghide moved to England as a child and eventually signed his first pro contract with AFC Wimbledon before joining Sheffield Wednesday in England’s second division. After a breakout campaign in 2021, Urhoghide transferred to Scottish giants Celtic where he made one start in the Europa League. After a loan to Belgium’s top flight, he joined Amiens in 2023 and became a key part of their backline that earned the second-best defensive record in Ligue 2 last season.
“FC Dallas came in and they offered a unique opportunity,” Urhoghide told FCDallas.com. “I spoke with the club and the management, and it was very positive what they were offering. The experience, the new adventure to a place where I can show myself and develop, it’s a good opportunity to take so I'm here now to improve and to help the team.”
Urhoghide joins Dallas on a deal reportedly worth $3.1 million, making him the club’s third-largest incoming transfer behind Petar Musa and Alan Velasco. A right-footed, 6-foot-2 center back, Urhoghide will compete with MLS veterans Sebastien Ibeagha and Lalas Aboubakar for a starting place in front of goalkeeper Maarten Paes (who also happens to be from Nijmegen, Netherlands).
“I'm a very committed player that likes to work for the team, to do the work that many people don't like to do,” Urhoghide explained. “There'll be a lot of tackling, a lot of duels and winning the ball, and just breaking up the play and setting up our counter attacks. So there'll be a lot of energy, a lot of tackling and a lot of aggression as well. So that's really most of my game, and I'm gonna do the best to help the team to get where we're supposed to be.”
Urhoghide will join FC Dallas team training once he receives his work visa and will hopefully be available for selection by the season-opener on Feb. 22 in Houston.
