David Ozoh: Crystal Palace's youngest PL player in history makes Championship debut for Derby County 

Crystal Palace loanee David Ozoh made his Championship debut for Derby County on the opening night of the campaign as the Rams suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Friday night.

The tri-national midfielder, who is eligible for Spain, England and Nigeria, holds the record for the youngest-ever player to feature for Crystal Palace in the Premier League, aged 17 years and 260 days when he made his debut against Newcastle United in January 2023.

In search of regular game time, the Eagles loaned the promising teenager to Derby County for the entirety of the 2024-2025 season.

Wearing the number 4 on the back of his jersey, Ozoh started and was in action for 86 minutes as Derby County were beaten in their first game in the Championship since May 2022. 

Blackburn Rovers number 10 Tyrhys Dolan netted the first goal of the new Championship season in the 19th minute when he punished the visitors after a breakdown in their defence.  

Around the midway point of the second half, Curtis Nelson equalized for Derby County with a header but goals from Andreas Weimann, Sammie Szmodics and Yuki Ohashi within twelve minutes helped Blackburn Rovers establish a three-goal advantage.

Two minutes after Ozoh subbed out, Derby County restored some pride as Kane Wilson headed in to make it 4-2.

Ozoh could make his home debut for the Rams on August 13 when they battle Tim Akinola's Chesterfield in the first round of the Carabao Cup. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: dcfc.co.uk

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