Osman Sow

Club career

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Sow started his youth career at FoC Farsta and Hammarby IF before returning to Farsta, where he started his professional career. In his first season back at FOC Farsta, Sow made twenty-two appearance and scored eight times.

Sow joined Väsby United on 21 December 2010. In the opening game of the season, Sow scored his first Väsby United goal in a 2–0 win over IFK Luleå.

After a season at Väsby United, Sow moved abroad to FC Dacia Chişinău. Sow had previously been linked with a move to Sturm Graz.

Syrianska and Crystal Palace

In May, 2013 it was announced that Osman Sow had been transferred to Syrianska FC. He made his debut in a league match against Brommapojkarna in a 1–1 draw on 18 May 2013. Sow then scored his first Syrianska goal on 20 June 2013, in a 3–2 loss against Malmö. Two weeks later on 30 June 2013, Sow scored his second Syrianska goal, in a 5–1 loss against Elfsborg. The club was keen to extend Sow's contract, but Sow wanted to give his overseas career another go.

On 6 September 2013, Sow signed for Premier League side Crystal Palace on a free transfer until the end of the season. However, he made no appearances for the club and spent most of the season in the reserves or injured. Sow was released by Palace at the end of the 2013–14 season.

Heart of Midlothian

Sow scored goals for Hearts in two friendlies during trials against East Fife and Manchester City before signing a two-year contract.

Sow scored on his competitive debut in a 3–1 victory over Annan Athletic at Tynecastle Stadium on 26 July 2014 in the Challenge Cup first round. He scored on his league debut in stoppage time to beat Rangers 2–1 at Ibrox on the opening day of the season. Sow was sent off in his next appearance against Hibernian in the Edinburgh Derby for an elbow in the face on Michael Nelson. He scored a penalty at home against Falkirk in a 4–1 victory, which followed up scoring four goals in three appearance against Cowdenbeath, Livingston and Queen of the South. However, Sow suffered a thigh strain and was initially out for weeks, but was out until January. Having made his return in a reserve match in mid-January, Sow made is first team return, where he made his first start since his return, in a 3–2 defeat to Falkirk, but set up for Género Zeefuik's opener. It took until 28 February 2015 for Sow to score twice, in a 10–0 win over Cowdenbeath Sow later made twenty-two appearance and scoring eleven times. Despite this, Sow was among six players to be named 2014–15 Championship's Team of the Year.

In the 2015–16 season, Sow started well when he scored twice, which one come from the penalty, in the first round of Scottish League Cup, in a 4–2 win over Arbroath. Sow made his Scottish Premiership debut against St Johnstone in the opening game of the season, where he had his penalty saved by Alan Mannus before Jamie Walker scored from the rebound, which Hearts won 4–3. It took until 15 August 2015 for Sow scored his first goal for the club against Ross County, followed up his second goal against Partick Thistle. Sow did the same when he scored against Ross County and a brace against Partick Thistle for the second time this season. Sow then added four more goals against Motherwell, Celtic, Dundee United and Motherwell.

With his contract expiring at the end of the 2014–15 season, Hearts started a negotiation talk with Sow over a contract. Two months after the negotiation started, the talks between the club and the player were positive, with a chance of Sow signing a new contract. But this did not stop Sow from attracting other clubs, such as Birmingham City, Celtic and Rangers. Former Hearts player, Jimmy Sandison, said it would be "football suicide if Sow left".

On the last day of the transfer window, Hearts accepted a £1 million bid from an unknown Chinese club, presumed to be Henan Jianye. This led Hearts sign Abiola Dauda on loan from Vitesse. In the wake of ongoing move of his hopes moving to China, Sow was left out of the squad, as Manager Nielson let him decide whether or not he wants to be in the starting eleven for Hearts matches. After leaving Hearts, Sow took to Twitter, thanking the club and wish the club the best.

During his time at Heart of Midlothian, Sow scored 23 times in 52 appearances in all competitions.

Henan Jianye

On 23 February 2016, Sow signed for Chinese Super League side Henan Jianye. Following his move to China, Manager Robbie Neilson said the club will use the fee to invest in the club's youth players, rather than spend on a transfer. On 19 January 2017, Sow was loaned to Emirates until 30 June 2017.

Milton Keynes Dons

On 14 August 2017, following his release from Henan Jiaye, Sow joined League One club Milton Keynes Dons on a free transfer, signing a two-year deal. On 19 August 2017, Sow scored the winning goal on his league debut for the club, in a 1–0 win over Gillingham.

Career statistics

Personal life

Though he was born in Sweden, Sow is of Senegalese descent. He is a fan of reggae music and says it helps him keep calm.

Honours