William Osula Breaks 8-Year Newcastle Record With Brace Against West Ham as Super Eagles Pursuit Intensifies

William Osula underlined his rapid development at Newcastle United with a brace in a commanding 3-1 Premier League victory over West Ham United at St James’ Park on Sunday, 17 May 2026, a result that pushed the Hammers closer to relegation from the top flight.

The performance carried statistical significance beyond the scoreline. According to OptaJoe, Osula, aged 22 years and 286 days, became the youngest player to score a brace for Newcastle in a Premier League match since Kenedy achieved the feat against Southampton in March 2018, when the Brazilian was 22 years and 30 days old. The record had stood for over eight years.

Osula’s brace was part of a sustained run of form for Eddie Howe’s side. The striker has now scored five goals in his last six appearances for the Magpies, a sequence that has elevated his profile considerably and sharpened attention on his international future.

Born in Copenhagen to a Danish mother and a Nigerian father, Osula holds eligibility for both Denmark and Nigeria. Although he has represented Denmark at youth level, he remains eligible to switch allegiance to the Super Eagles because he has not yet featured in a competitive senior international match for the Danes. A call-up to the Danish squad in March 2026 produced no minutes on the pitch, leaving his international status unchanged.

The Nigerian Football Federation has reportedly been in contact with Osula in an effort to persuade him to commit to Nigeria. Denmark’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has removed what could have been a significant factor in retaining his loyalty to the Scandinavian nation, according to reports.

Should Osula switch, he would enter a Super Eagles setup led by head coach Eric Chelle, where Victor Osimhen remains the undisputed first-choice striker. Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray, has been Nigeria’s most prolific forward in recent years. However, Chelle’s reported tactical flexibility and willingness to deploy two strikers simultaneously could create a viable pathway for Osula to feature alongside the former Napoli man.

For context, Nigeria’s attacking options have been a subject of ongoing discussion within the NFF, with the federation keen to build depth ahead of a competitive international calendar. A physical, clinical striker with Premier League experience and record-breaking form at a UEFA Champions League-competing club would represent a notable addition to the squad’s options.

As the 2025-26 Premier League season enters its final stages, Osula’s trajectory at club level continues to strengthen the case for either nation. The NFF’s pursuit, described as still on track according to reports, may yet determine where one of European football’s more intriguing young strikers makes his senior international debut.