Isaac Samuel Osbourne is an English retired professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Having progressed through the youth set-up at Coventry City, Osbourne made over 122 appearances in all competitions for the sky blues. He most recently played for St Mirren, and is the older brother of Walsall midfielder Isaiah Osbourne. A persistent knee injury troubled Osbourne throughout most of his career, and subsequently it forced him to retire from football aged 28.
Career
Coventry City
Born in Birmingham, West Midlands, Osbourne signed for Coventry in 1999. During the 2002–03 season, he made his debut in the first team at Coventry City at 16 years of age. He was awarded the 'Young Player of the Year Award' in 2005; previous winners of the award include Gary McSheffrey and Chris Kirkland. At the end of 2004–05 season, Osbourne was offered a new deal at Coventry, which Osbourne accepted. During the early months of the 2005–06 season, he was a regular first team starter, but he damaged his lateral collateral ligament early in 2006, ruling him out of the second half of the season, though he made two appearance on the bench, being as an unused substitute in the matches. Following his loan spell at Crewe ended, Osbourne continued to resume his regular first team starter. At the end of the 2006/07 season, he signed a contract extension by signing a four-year deal. Throughout the 2007/08 season, Osbourne continued to become a regular team starter. Towards the end of the 2007/08 season, Osbourne filled in the right-back position, following loanee-Richard Duffy injury. His first team lasted until 2008/09 season when Osbourne soon suffered various injuries and even worse, his first team opportunities is limited. In mid-March, Manager Chris Coleman revealed that he turned down a loan request for Osbourne, insisting he is in his plan. Throughout his two-years at Coventry until his release, Osbourne made sporadic appearance for the club and his absence was explained, due to lack of first team opportunities under managers and injuries, like knee injury. At the end of the 2010/11 season, Osbourne was released by the club as he wasn't offered a new deal at Coventry, ending a long year at the club.
After being released by Coventry, he went on trial at Aberdeen. The day after his trial was announced, the club says they confirmed their interests signing him. The following month, Osbourne went on another trial at the Dons to earn a contract. On 30 June 2011, he signed a one-year contract with Aberdeen, following a trials. Upon joining, Osbourne says the club have helped his career by overcoming his injury and credit Craig Brown for reviving his career. Ahead of his debut, Osbourne says he is delighted of making his Aberdeen debut and describe it as a "dream". During the transfer window, his brother, Isiah, joined SPL rivals Hibernian. He made his debut in a 0–0 draw against St Johnstone in the opening game of the season. Having made an immediate impact, Brown revealed he started a contract negotiations to tie up Osbourne new deal. In early January, Osbourne soon suffered an hamstring injury during a match against Forfar Athletic in the fourth round in the Scottish Cup and was substituted in the first half and needed a knee operation. During the sidelines, he signed a one-year contract extension, which will keep him until 2013. Three months later, on the final game of the season, Osbourne made his return, coming on as a substitute for Kári Árnason in the 75th minute, as Aberdeen drew 0–0 with St Mirren. He started the 2012/13 season strongly, putting in three-man of the match performances in succession. On 18 August 2012, he scored his first goal in 176 competitive appearances, for Aberdeen against St Johnstone in Perth. In November, during a match against Hibs on 24 November 2012, he suffered another hamstring injury that cause him to be out for two months. In early January, Osbourne soon made a recovery from injury and return to full training. In February, Osbourne spoke out about his contract says his career in Aberdeen is in doubt over his personal issue, with his contract is going to expire in the summer. However, a week later, Osbourne suffered an injury again and it was a same injury he suffered during the season. It was announced on 13 May 2013 that Osbourne's contract along with another six players would not be extended by Aberdeen.
On 31 July 2013, Partick Thistle announced that they have brought in Osbourne from Aberdeen on a free transfer. Osbourne suffered a knee injury in an abandoned match against St Johnstone at Firhill in late 2013. He underwent surgery and the injury left him unavailable for the remainder of the 2013/14 season. After making thirteen appearance in his first season, Osbourne said he might want to continue on at the club.
St Mirren
Osbourne signed a one-year contract with Scottish Premiership side, St Mirren on 21 August 2014. On 21 April 2015, Osbourne left the club by mutual consent prior to the end of the season. He made 18 appearances in total, without scoring a goal.
Personal life
Osbourne revealed he attended Henley College in Coventry to study BTEC National Certificate in Sport and plans to become a carpenter when he retires.
