Odisha FC sign Australian defender Osama Malik ahead of ISL 2022-23

The 31-year-old has experience playing in the A-League with Adelaide United, Melbourne City FC and Perth Glory.

Odisha FC have announced that Australian player, Osama Malik has signed a year-long deal with the club.

Osama is a versatile player, who can operate as a central defender, full-back, and holding midfielder. He has had previous spells in the Hyundai A-League with Adelaide United, North Queensland Fury, Melbourne City, and most recently, Perth Glory. The former Australia U-20 international added some overseas experience via his spell with the Saudi Arabian club Al-Batin.

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Having played his junior football with Croydon Kings, West Adelaide, and Adelaide Raiders, Osama Malik joined Adelaide United in 2008. A year later, he joined North Queensland Fury (now defunct) and spent two seasons with them ahead of a return to his native Adelaide in 2011.

The 1.85m utility man duly became a first-team mainstay for the Reds, helping them take out the 2013-14 Premiership and claim the 2014 FFA Cup.

Following a 2016 move to Melbourne City, he again became a regular starter and went on to claim another FFA Cup winners’ medal. The local Adelaide product received his big break when he was selected in the Reds’ inaugural National Youth League squad at the age of 17 after being signed by the local South Australian club Raiders.

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Fine performances in the Reds’ Youth Team led to ‘Ozzie’ joining United’s senior squad for the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, where he made his senior debut appearance in a 13-minute cameo against J-League giants Gamba Osaka. With this signing, Odisha FC has fulfilled their mandatory Asian quota within the squad.

Odisha FC's preparations for ISL 2022/23

The club recently announced the return of Josep Gombau as their new head coach for the upcoming ISL season. Odisha FC have also announced the return of Spanish centre-bacK Carlos Delgado, who previously played at the club during the ISL 2019-20 season.

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