Osman was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester, to a Turkish Cypriot father and a British mother,[3] and raised in Skelmersdale, Lancashire.

[5] Osman joined the Everton Academy as a boy,[citation needed] and was part of the team that won the 1998 FA Youth Cup.

[10] His only other Everton appearance of the season was his Goodison Park debut on 26 April, replacing Steve Watson at the end of a 2–1 win over Aston Villa.

[citation needed] Manager David Moyes gave Osman his first start on 1 May 2004 at Wolverhampton Wanderers, and he headed Everton into the lead within three minutes from a James McFadden cross, although they eventually lost 2–1.

[citation needed] At the end of the season, he started in the 2009 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, being replaced by Dan Gosling in the 82nd minute of the 2–1 defeat to Chelsea.

[24] To mark his long service, a testimonial match against FC Porto was held as part of Everton's pre-season schedule for the 2014–15 season.

[27] He scored on his 400th appearance for the club, netting the winner in a 2–1 victory over West Ham United[28] His contract expired at the end of 2015–16, and Osman was released by Everton.

[32] On 31 January 2013, Osman was named in the England squad for the second time for the friendly fixture against Brazil on 6 February 2013, though he was left on the substitutes' bench for the match.

[33] Osman received his first competitive international call up after being named in the England squad on 14 March 2013 for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.