A dream realised
A creative force with an impressive track record, Darío Osorio is one of South America’s most exciting young talents – and it is that very potential which Crystal Palace can now look to harness.
24DaríoOsorio
in on loan
Mid
Midfielder
Date of Birth
24.01.0424 January 2004
Country
CLChileJoined Team
01.09.2601 September 2026
All time
Like so many South American footballers who eventually move to Europe, Osorio started football at a young age – and was prepared to give everything to realise his dream.
First kicking a ball at around four or five years-old, at a small local football school (Escuela Municipal) in Hijuelas – a city in central Chile which is known as La Capital de los Flores (for its flower production) – it did not take long for Osorio’s natural ability to blossom.
At eight-years-old, Osorio was scouted by Santiago Wanderers, the oldest club in Chile. In January 2015, another successful trial – held in El Melón – saw Osorio noticed by Rubén Farfán of Universidad de Chile, whose recommendation led to him being snapped up by The U.
Hence, at just 11, Osorio left the comforts of his home, family and friends to pursue his career path at Universidad, some 70 miles away. “Many of the other players at the club were older than me, so it was hard for a quiet and introverted boy to create a network,” Osorio later recalled.
“The most important people throughout my upbringing have definitely been my parents. They have always been a great support and supported my passion for football – even when it was all difficult.
“They told me that if I wanted to become a professional, I would also have to be ready to sacrifice something. That's why I've always been aware that choosing football meant I had to give up something else.”
Osorio’s rise through Universidad’s academy ranks was rapid and in 2021, at just 17-years-old – and having already earned attention at both Under-17 and Under-20 level by his nation – he was called up to the first-team squad for the first time.
It was in the Argentinean Torneo de Verano, however, where Osorio would make a mark ahead of the 2022 season, coming off the bench and finishing off a blistering counter-attack in an eventual defeat to Colo Colo.
That paved the way for the 18-year-old to assume more regular first-team involvement at Universidad, and he duly scored eight times in 33 matches in the 2022 season, helping his side to the Copa Chile semi-finals, where they narrowly missed out on aggregate over two legs.
By this time, Osorio had begun regularly being selected at both Under-23s – and senior – international level for Chile, debuting against Tunisia at the 2022 Kirin Cup in June of that year.
The attacker continued to catch the eye with his ability to drift in-field from wide positions; find space on the half turn; protect the ball; and hammer it goalwards with a fierce striking technique.
It was a skillset which made him of interest to Danish Superliga side FC Midtjylland in summer 2023, and Osorio once again departed the comforts of home, moving thousands of kilometres away in the hopes of progressing his dreams. His impact was immediate, helping the Danish club win their first top-flight title in four seasons with eight goals in just 23 appearances.
That result saw Osorio and Midtjylland attain European football the following season and, whilst they did not successfully reach the UEFA Champions League, they did compete in the Europa League, the Chilean notching three times in eight such matches.
And whilst the Hedens Drenge were unable to retain their league title in 2024/25, after falling one point short to FC Copenhagen, there was still personal glory for Osorio in the shape of the Superliga’s Goal of the Year award – a lovely bit of skill, and a thunderous strike from long range, against AaB.
There would be more trophies to follow last season as Osorio and Midtjylland – once again runners-up in the league, despite four goals and six assists in just 19 games from the Chilean – were able to seal the Danish Cup crown, with the playmaker starting the 1-0 win over Copenhagen in the Final.
Having appeared three times at the 2024 Copa América for Chile, and been a key part in Midtjylland’s eye-catching run in the Europa League last season – including registering an assist in an away victory over Nottingham Forest, and playing his part in victories over Celtic, Genk and Dinamo Zagreb – it is clear Osorio is cut out for the top level.
In an interview with Midtjylland published by the club as recently as February 2026, Osorio declared his “dream travel destination” to be – after pondering the Maldives and Dubai – London.
Now, the 22-year-old's dreams have landed him there – ready to put everything on the line once again to make his mark with the Palace.
