Promising Fulham right-back and England Under-19 international
Elliot Omozusi joined Norwich City on a season-long loan on 18th
July 2008.
Omozusi made his first team debut for Fulham in the FA Cup third
round game against Leicester City on 6th January 2007. He was
sent off in the game against Reading on 3 November 2007 after
providing an assist for Fulham's second goal on only his second
Premier League appearance for the club. He finished the 2007/8
season with 8 appearances to his name
"I'm very grateful to Roy Hodgson at Fulham for allowing
Elliot to come to us on a year's loan," said Norwich
manager Glenn Roeder. "There's
going to be a great battle for the right-back spot, as it is over
at left-back with Ryan Bertrand joining
us again. Potentially, Elliot and Ryan, two 19-year-olds, are
probably the best two young full-backs in the Premiership, and
coming to play for us this year. I'm very excited about both signings
but particularly young Omozusi because we've been chipping away
at this one for so long and Roy was very helpful. He said he couldn't
do anything until he got a more experienced right-back in and
as soon as John Pantsil signed from West Ham I was on the phone
again and we were given an opportunity to speak to him. Thankfully
he chose Norwich and I'm sure he's made the right decision."
Assistant manager Lee Clark was still a Fulham player when Omozusi
began progressing through the ranks. "Lee's watched his
career progress. We started watching him last year and it has
taken an incredible amount of hard work - I can't tell you how
much - to get him to Norwich. There were an awful lot of clubs
chasing him and he was pleasantly surprised how many clubs did
want him," said Roeder.
Omozusi returned to Fulham on 2nd February 2009 with Norwich
terminating the loan after Omuzusi failed to break into new manager
Bryan Gunn's first three squads - City
instead signed Australian international Adrian
Leijer from Fulham on loan until the end of the season. Omozusi
had made 24 appearances for the Canaries.
Released by Fulham at the end of the 2008/9 season, Elliott trialed
with Sheffield United in September 2009 and then with Peterborough
in October 2009. He then signed a short-term contract with Charlton
Athletic on 30th October 2009.