Osaze De Rosario: "Lucky" to get out of Ukraine - "It feels good" to be with York United

York United FC forward Osaze De Rosario is the son of a legend. His father, Dwayne De Rosario, played 81 games (22 goals) for Canada and 342 games in Major League Soccer (104 goals and 57 assists). The younger De Rosario, in the meantime, has been a sensation in the Canadian Premier League this season just months after escaping war-torn Ukraine where he played for Rukh Lviv. 

“I left Ukraine a week before the actual conflict began, so I was lucky in many respects,” Osaze said in an exclusive interview with Transfermarkt. TM understands that the contract was officially cancelled nine days before Russia’s actual invasion. But Osaze was still stuck in the country for a couple more days before finally crossing the border.  “Other people weren’t so lucky,” Osaze added.

“The conversation started around early November when talks of a potential war rose,” the 43-year-old Dwayne De Rosario said. “When the USA advised all citizens residing in Ukraine to evacuate, I knew we had to do something immediately.”

Reports about Russia’s potential invasion of Ukraine started to surface in November. Russia has been in a shadow war with its neighbor Ukraine since 2014, when it illegally annexed Crimea and occupied parts of the Donbass. 

Osaze De Rosario: Russian invasion "became a bigger and bigger story"

The shadow of war has been over the country ever since, but in February, Russia’s troop buildup escalated to a full-blown invasion of the country. Although Lviv is in the country’s far west, the city was also targeted by Russian rockets and airplanes.  “Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t scary, and I wasn’t too focused on it at first, but when it became a bigger and bigger story, we started working towards me leaving Rukh,” Osaze said. 

At that stage, De Rosario senior had already contacted the player agency DC International for help. The German-based player agency has a strong foothold in Canada and worked with the De Rosario family to resolve Osaze’s contract situation with Rukh. 

“It wasn’t an easy process,” DC International player agent Jeremy Dow said. “In the end, everyone was happy that Osaze could have his club agreement in Ukraine canceled by mutual consent.” 

“I am grateful everything worked out for my son and got him home,” Dwayne said. Added Osaze: “It was difficult to come to an agreement to terminate the contract with the club, as I had another three years left on that deal.”  

Getting Osaze out of his contract was not easy. “It was worth the collective effort,” Osaze said. On February 16, the two sides formally announced the termination of the deal. “I am happy he is back,” Dwayne said. “But I also know that other players weren’t this lucky.”

De Rosario: Ukraine "a great experience" - Osaze "fit the profile"

But even though the family is happy Osaze is back in Canada, the time in Ukraine was a valuable lesson. Osaze joined Rukh in September 2021 after training with Spanish LaLiga 2 side CD Lugo and played two games for the Ukrainians. “It was a great experience playing in Ukraine and learning different aspects of the game,” Osaze said. 

The transfer window in Europe would not open until March for Ukrainian-based players, the De Rosario’s needed to find a new home for Osaze. Once again, DC International stepped in. The agency assessed the situation and determined that a move to the Canadian Premier League, despite options in Europe, would be the most sensible at this stage of the young striker’s career.

In York United, the player agency found a partner willing to take a chance in the younger De Rosario. Osaze trained with the club and the training staff around head coach Martin Nash and general manager Angus McNab were willing to take a chance on the 20-year-old forward. 

“Giving Osaze an opportunity was easy in some ways as his profile fits what we are looking for as a club,” McNab said. “Martin [Nash] and I were in regular contact during pre-season and it was very clear that Osaze was working hard and earned a spot on the roster. He’s a talented young man and we truly believe that this league was formed to present opportunities for Canadian players that didn’t exist before.” 

De Rosario: "Would be an honor" to play for the United States or Canada

Osaze started training with York United in the spring and officially joined the CPL club in April. A move that has paid immediate dividends for everyone involved, with De Rosario scoring three goals and one assist in his first five games for York United. “It is a very exciting league,” Dwayne said. “It helps develop young Canadian players and grow the sport around this country.” 

Added McNab: “Dwayne has been out to a game, and he’s also popped his head into training as well. It’s a great part of the story that Martin and he took to the field together for Canada but as we’ve said before, Osaze is his own man and is looking to carve his own path in the game.”

De Rosario’s progress with York United has created a significant buzz both in the United States and Canada. “It feels good,” Osaze said with a smile. “But scoring goals isn’t everything, and the success of the whole club is the most important thing.” Although Dwayne De Rosario is Canadian, his son also holds a US passport, and senior is a big name in the United States thanks to his time with the Houston Dynamo, New York Red Bulls, and D.C. United. 

Osaze remained uncommitted when asked about his national team career. “It would be an honor to play for either country,” the younger De Rosario said. Added Dwayne: “He needs to stay humble and keep working hard.” 

Dwayne De Rosario: Osaze "is making his own path" 

Dwayne De Rosario also was quick to dismiss the comparison between him and his son. “He is his own individual, and to be honest, I think he has more qualities than me with his physical frame and strength,” Dwayne said. “I like simply being the supporting parent, that's all. My success came from my work and commitment, and it will be no different for my son and his journey.” 

Osaze did admit that there is the pressure of carrying the De Rosario family name. “It is like being the chosen one,” Osaze said. But he also stressed that having his father is a significant advantage. “You can't buy experience, so it's always good to have him to talk to.” 

Dwayne De Rosario, however, believes that his son will have to strike his own path. “Being a former player myself with lots of experience, I try to help guide him as best I can,” Dwayne said. “But make no mistake, this is his journey, and he is making his own path, and I'm only supporting his passion along the way.”