David Omilabu has made a name for himself at Palace’s Academy for a simple reason: he scores goals. After 46 in a half as many games for the Under-16s – including a double hattrick in a match against Swansea – he hit 20 for the Under-18s as their title-race went right down to the wire.
Signed by Palace as an eight-year-old, he was released aged 12 and moved to Fulham on trial; a hattrick against the Eagles saw him soon re-signed.
Taking to Category 1 football like a duck to water, he signed his professional deal in March 2021 and made several goalscoring cameos for the Under-23s. He scored an extra-time winner the Premier League 2 Division 2 play-off semi-final against Wolves and then went on to score the winning penalty in the shoot-out against Sunderland in the final.
“Stepping up for the penalty - I wasn’t scared at all. I knew I was going to score! When it went in it was just the best feeling ever. We ran towards the Under-18s and all celebrated together.
“Scoring that penalty in the play-off final and scoring in the semi-final were big highlights for me. It was actually crazy [playing in front of fans again], they made a chant for me and it just gave me goosebumps.”
Playing anywhere across the front three but often coming in from the left, it is not just goals he offers: his hard work in winning the ball back high up the field was praised by then Under-18s manager Paddy McCarthy.
An injury hit 2021/22 campaign saw him feature infrequently for the Under-23s, however he now fully focused on returning to his best in the 2022/23 season.
