Lloyd Owusu
Lloyd Owusu | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 12, 1976 England |
| Occupation | Former professional footballer |
| Years active | 1998–2015 |
| Known for | Football career with Brentford, Sheffield Wednesday, Reading, Yeovil Town, Cheltenham Town, Brighton & Hove Albion, Adelaide United, Luton Town, Barnet, and representing Ghana internationally |
Lloyd Magnus Owusu (born 12 December 1976) is a former professional footballer whose last club was Hakoah Sydney City East competing in the NSW State League Division One, Sydney. His football journey commenced at non-League side Slough Town before making a notable step up to Brentford, where he netted 48 goals over 163 league appearances between 1998 and 2002. Following this, he moved to Sheffield Wednesday and subsequently joined Reading after an initial loan period. Owusu made a return to Brentford in 2005, later transferring to Yeovil Town in 2007. In 2008, he signed with Cheltenham Town and spent part of the following year on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion.
In 2009, Owusu relocated to Australia to play for Adelaide United, departing the club in December 2010. He had a brief stint back in England with Luton Town before heading to Cyprus to join AEP Paphos. Afterward, he resumed his career in English football by signing with Barnet and was loaned out to Hayes & Yeading United. In February 2012, Owusu rejoined Slough Town with the objective of aiding their promotion efforts from the Southern Football League Division One Central.
Though born in England, Owusu chose to represent Ghana at the international level.
Brentford
Owusu’s early career began at non-league Slough Town, before he was signed by Brentford in 1998 under the management of Ron Noades. He made an immediate impact by scoring 25 goals across all competitions, finishing as the top scorer in the Third Division. His goal tally decreased to 14 during the 1999–2000 campaign and further to 12 goals in 34 appearances in 2000–01. However, he bounced back strongly in 2001–02, registering 22 goals including a Goal of the Month-winning effort against Blackpool. His contributions helped Brentford reach the Second Division play-off final, where they were defeated 2–0 by Stoke City.
Sheffield Wednesday
Upon becoming a free agent, Owusu drew interest from clubs such as Oldham Athletic and Crystal Palace, but ultimately signed a three-year contract with Sheffield Wednesday competing in the Championship. He made a striking entrance by scoring within one minute of his substitute debut during a derby victory over Sheffield United. Despite this bright start, regular first-team opportunities were limited, resulting in just four goals from 33 appearances throughout the 2002–03 season, mostly coming off the bench.
In the following season (2003–04), Owusu’s playing time diminished further, leading to a loan move to Reading in December 2003. His performances impressed Reading enough for him to seek a permanent transfer, which materialized in summer 2004 for an undisclosed fee. During the 2004–05 season, Owusu scored six times in fourteen league starts but continued primarily as an impact substitute.
Brentford
In summer 2005, Brentford’s manager Martin Allen brought Owusu back on a free transfer, offering him a two-year contract based purely on his footballing merits. He contributed 14 goals across 42 matches during the 2005–06 season.
Owusu spent much of the 2006–07 season sidelined due to injury and multiple surgeries. He made his comeback in March 2007 against Rotherham, but was released by Brentford two months later.
Yeovil Town
In July 2007, Owusu committed to a one-year contract with Russell Slade's Yeovil Town. Leading as the club’s top scorer during his debut season, he indicated a strong desire to remain at Huish Park despite receiving interest from other teams.
Cheltenham Town
Owusu signed a free one-year contract with League One outfit Cheltenham Town in September 2008. Due to financial cutbacks, Cheltenham arranged a loan move for him to Brighton & Hove Albion in March 2009, lasting until the campaign’s conclusion.
During his loan spell, Owusu netted seven goals across 14 league matches, playing a key role in Brighton’s successful fight against relegation from League One. His performances earned him the League One Player of the Month award for April 2009. Although Brighton released 17 players at the season’s end, Owusu was among just three offered a new contract, which he chose not to accept.
Adelaide United
In June 2009, Owusu agreed to a two-year contract with Australian A-League side Adelaide United. His preseason preparations were hampered by bouts of swine flu and pneumonia, which delayed his fitness progression. He made his first appearance on 21 August 2009 as a substitute and scored his inaugural goal the following week during a 3–3 draw with North Queensland Fury.
Following an underwhelming season and demotion to the youth squad, Owusu trialed with Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande. Unable to establish himself at Adelaide, he mutually ended his contract in December 2010. Subsequently, Owusu returned to England for a trial with League Two's Port Vale; however, registration complications and managerial choices prevented him from securing a deal.
Luton
Linked with League Two's Gillingham in January 2011, Owusu instead signed with Conference Premier side Luton Town on 18 January, committing until May that year. He made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut in a 5–0 victory over York City on the same day. After tallying seven goals in 15 appearances, Owusu was released on 2 June 2011.
He started the 2011–12 season training with Micky Adams’ Port Vale but soon moved overseas to join Cypriot Second Division club AEP Paphos.
Barnet
Owusu returned to English football on 12 September 2011 by signing a short-term contract with League Two side Barnet. He made his debut as a substitute the following day in a 2–0 home triumph over Plymouth Argyle.
On 4 November 2011, he went on a one-month loan to Conference Premier team Hayes & Yeading United. Upon returning from loan, Owusu departed Barnet when his contract expired in December 2011.
White City Woodville
On 23 March 2012, Owusu made his way back to Australia by signing with FFSA Premier League club White City Woodville.
Hakoah Sydney City East
On 15 November 2012, it was announced that Owusu would join Indonesian Super League outfit Pelita Bandung Raya as both assistant manager and player; however, this move did not materialize. Returning once more to Australia, he signed with Hakoah Sydney City East FC, competing in the NSW State League Division One. He played a pivotal role in guiding the team to the Round of 32 in the inaugural FFA Cup, where they were defeated by Queensland’s Palm Beach SC. In his sole season there, Owusu scored 18 goals over 23 league matches, significantly aiding Hakoah’s promotion to the National Premier Leagues NSW 2.
International career
Owusu received his inaugural cap for the Ghana squad in 2005, with aspirations to participate in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, marking Ghana's debut in the tournament. Unfortunately, a groin injury incurred during a friendly match against VfB Stuttgart prevented him from being included in the World Cup roster.
In January 2015, at the age of 38, Owusu decided to end his professional playing career, which spanned 17 years.
Coaching career
After hanging up his boots, Lloyd Owusu became involved with the International Football School located in Kariong, New South Wales, Australia. Presently, he serves as General Duties Master and leads as Head Coach of the 1st XI team at Cranbrook School in Sydney, where he enjoys a strong reputation within the local community. Owusu is related to fellow professional footballers Derek Asamoah and Ansah Owusu and has taken steps towards acquiring Australian citizenship.
Honours
Brentford
- Football League Third Division champions: 1998–99
- Football League Trophy finalist: 2000–01
Individual
- Inducted into the Brentford Hall of Fame