Sam Cosgrove

Cosgrove was born in 1996 in Beverley, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. His family moved to Cheshire while he was still a baby, and he attended Knutsford High School. He grew up as a Manchester City fan.{{cite web |url=https://www.afc.co.uk/2018/05/24/sam-cosgrove-feature-2/ |title=Sam Cosgrove Feature |publisher=Aberdeen F.C. |date=24 May 2018 |access-date=14 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215050527/https://www.afc.co.uk/2018/05/24/sam-cosgrove-feature-2/ |archive-date=15 February 2019 |url-status=live}} Cosgrove began his youth football career as an under-10 with Everton, but was released at 16. He signed scholarship forms with Wigan Athletic in 2013,{{cite news |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/barrow-afc/16464078.cosgrove-wants-to-impress-with-barrow-afc/ |title=Cosgrove wants to impress with Barrow AFC |newspaper=North-West Evening Mail |location=Barrow-in-Furness |date=26 August 2015 |access-date=31 January 2021}} and took his A levels during that time rather than the standard sports-related BTEC course.{{cite news |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/1531989/top-student-sam-cosgrove-goes-from-wigans-willing-learner-to-aberdeens-leading-man/ |title=Top student Sam Cosgrove goes from Wigan's willing learner to Aberdeen's leading man |first=Jamie |last=Durent |newspaper=Press and Journal |location=Aberdeen |date=1 August 2018 |access-date=22 March 2021}}

Cosgrove's first matchday involvement with the senior team came while he was still a second-year scholar, as part of his development process, when manager Malky Mackay named him as a substitute for the FA Cup third round visit to Bolton Wanderers on 3 January 2015. He remained part of the squad for four league matches during January, each time as an unused substitute.{{cite web |url=http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/report-fa-cup-third-round-bolton-wigan-athletic-2179279.aspx |title=FA Cup report: Bolton Wanderers 1 Wigan Athletic 0 |publisher=Wigan Athletic F.C. |date=3 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105205548/http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/report-fa-cup-third-round-bolton-wigan-athletic-2179279.aspx |archive-date=5 January 2015}}
{{cite web |url=http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/malky-mackay-preview-wigan-athletic-v-afc-bournemouth-2252244.aspx |title=Malky Mackay looks back on busy week ahead of AFC Bournemouth clash |publisher=Wigan Athletic F.C. |date=6 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207002024/http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/malky-mackay-preview-wigan-athletic-v-afc-bournemouth-2252244.aspx |archive-date=7 February 2015}} Having scored 44 goals from 40 matches over two years with Wigan's Under-18 team, he was one of six scholars to be offered their first professional contracts.{{cite web |url=http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/wigan-athletic-academy-scholars-professionals-2014-15-2366588.aspx |title=Six Latics U18s offered professional contracts |publisher=Wigan Athletic F.C. |date=30 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401012749/http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/wigan-athletic-academy-scholars-professionals-2014-15-2366588.aspx |archive-date=1 April 2015}}

In the 2015–16 season, Cosgrove gained experience from three spells on loan in non-league football. He made his senior debut for National League club Barrow on 18 August 2015, as a late substitute in a 1–1 draw with Guiseley.{{cite news |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/barrow-afc/match-reports/16464217.barrow-afc-surrender-lead-and-share-spoils-with-guiseley/ |title=Barrow AFC surrender lead and share spoils with Guiseley |newspaper=North-West Evening Mail |location=Barrow-in-Furness |date=18 August 2015 |access-date=20 March 2021}} Starting in place of the injured Andy Cook, he "produced a solid display" in the next game, a defeat to Cheltenham Town, but after Cook's return he played only a few minutes' football and was recalled by Wigan.{{cite news |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/barrow-afc/match-reports/16463637.edmo-heaps-praise-on-barrow-following-imps-win/ |title=Edmo heaps praise on Barrow following Imps win |newspaper=North-West Evening Mail |location=Barrow-in-Furness |date=15 September 2015 |access-date=20 March 2021}} He joined Chorley on 25 November until the following 2 January,{{cite web |url=https://www.wiganathletic.com/news/2015/november/sam-cosgrove-joins-chorley-fc-on-loan/ |title=Sam Cosgrove joins Chorley FC on loan |publisher=Wigan Athletic F.C. |date=26 November 2015 |access-date=27 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827213600/https://www.wiganathletic.com/news/2015/november/sam-cosgrove-joins-chorley-fc-on-loan/ |archive-date=27 August 2017}} and played only 20 minutes in the National League North. but after his winning goal in a Lancashire Challenge Trophy match, Chorley manager Matt Jansen said that Cosgrove had "pace to burn, he's big and strong and if he believes in himself he could do very well."{{cite news |url=https://www.chorleycitizen.co.uk/sport/14136716.boss-hails-chorleys-spirit-after-cup-fightback/ |title=Boss hails Chorley's spirit after cup fightback |newspaper=Chorley Citizen |date=10 December 2015 |access-date=20 March 2021}} His third loan was at Nantwich Town of the Northern Premier League Premier Division.{{cite web |url=https://wiganathletic.com/news/2016/january/sam-cosgrove-joins-nantwich-town-on-loan/ |title=Sam Cosgrove joins Nantwich Town on loan |publisher=Wigan Athletic F.C. |date=29 January 2016 |access-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130224219/https://wiganathletic.com/news/2016/january/sam-cosgrove-joins-nantwich-town-on-loan/ |archive-date=30 January 2021 |url-status=live}} A debut goal was disallowed for offside,{{cite news |url=https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2016/01/31/nantwich-town-sign-sam-cosgrove-held-ilkeston/ |title=Nantwich Town sign Sam Cosgrove but held by Ilkeston |newspaper=The Nantwich News |date=31 January 2016 |access-date=20 March 2021}} but he did score Nantwich's 100th goal of the season a few weeks later.{{cite web |url=https://wiganathletic.com/news/2016/march/loan-report-cosgrove-scores-nantwichs-100th-of-the-season/ |title=Loan report: Cosgrove scores Nantwich's 100th of the season |publisher=Wigan Athletic F.C. |date=3 March 2016 |access-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131105233/https://wiganathletic.com/news/2016/march/loan-report-cosgrove-scores-nantwichs-100th-of-the-season/ |archive-date=31 January 2021 |url-status=live}}

Cosgrove signed a one-year contract with Wigan in June 2016,{{cite web |url=http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/wigan-athletic-announces-its-retained-list-ahead-of-the-2016-17-season-3134847.aspx |title=Wigan Athletic announce retained list details |publisher=Wigan Athletic F.C. |date=3 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604122959/http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/wigan-athletic-announces-its-retained-list-ahead-of-the-2016-17-season-3134847.aspx |archive-date=4 June 2016}} and made his debut as a late substitute in the EFL Cup against Oldham Athletic in August. He spent the second half of the on loan at North Ferriby United,{{cite web |url=https://northferribyunited.com/sam-cosgrove-signed-on-loan-from-wigan-athletic-n |title=Sam Cosgrove signed on loan from Wigan Athletic |first=Phil |last=Withers |publisher=North Ferriby United A.F.C. |date=20 January 2017 |access-date=27 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703184935/https://northferribyunited.com/sam-cosgrove-signed-on-loan-from-wigan-athletic-n |archive-date=3 July 2017}} made 14 National League appearances (3 starts) without scoring, and was released by Wigan when his contract expired.{{cite news |url=https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/weve-learned-our-lesson-hard-way-warnock-1128760 |title='We've learned our lesson the hard way' – Warnock |website=Wigan Today |date=25 April 2017 |access-date=21 March 2021}}

After a trial in pre-season, Cosgrove signed for League Two club Carlisle United on 1 August 2017 on a short–term deal until January.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40793874 |title=Carlisle United sign ex-Wigan striker Sam Cosgrove and Liverpool keeper Shamal George |website=BBC Sport |date=1 August 2017 |access-date=21 March 2021}} Against Fleetwood Town in the first round of the EFL Cup on 8 August, he came on as a 90th-minute substitute and helped the team win 2–1 after extra time.{{cite news |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/football/carlisle-united/16751154.millers-on-target-as-carlisle-united-clinch-extra-time-win-at-fleetwood/ |title=Millers on target as Carlisle United clinch extra-time win at Fleetwood |newspaper=News and Star |location=Carlisle |date=8 August 2017 |access-date=21 March 2021}} Four days later, he made his Football League debut, again as a substitute, in a 2–1 win against Cambridge United.{{cite news |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/football/carlisle-united/match-reports/16751004.carlisle-utd-fight-fire-with-fire-to-clinch-hard-earned-league-win-at-cambridge/ |title=Carlisle Utd fight fire with fire to clinch hard-earned league win at Cambridge |newspaper=News and Star |location=Carlisle |date=13 August 2017 |access-date=21 March 2021}} Cosgrove found his first-team opportunities limited: he was a regular on the bench but rarely left it. He made an unexpected first start on New Year's Day in a loss to Mansfield Town, he was man of the match in a goalless draw with Championship club Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup,{{cite news |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/16745837.carlisle-utds-sam-cosgrove-didnt-believe-no-point/ |title=Carlisle Utd's Sam Cosgrove: "If I didn't believe in myself, there would be no point me being here" |newspaper=News and Star |location=Carlisle |date=10 January 2018 |access-date=21 March 2021}} his contract was extended to the end of the season, and on 13 January he scored his first goal to secure a 1–0 win against Crewe Alexandra.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42587770 |title=Carlisle United 1–0 Crewe Alexandra |website=BBC Sport |date=13 January 2018 |access-date=21 March 2021}} He played twice more before the club accepted a bid for his services.

On 31 January 2018, Cosgrove signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen for an undisclosed fee, variously reported as £25,000,{{cite news |url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/donsnews/12-months-on-from-new-aberdeen-deal-its-sam-cosgrove-who-deserves-all-the-credit-for-rise/ |title=12 months on from new Aberdeen deal, it's Sam Cosgrove who deserves all the credit for rise |newspaper=Evening Express |location=Aberdeen |date=8 January 2020 |access-date=21 March 2021}} £30,000, or £40,000. The player had signed a pre-contract agreement with Aberdeen to join at the end of the season, but the Carlisle club "reluctantly" decided it would be better not to wait.{{cite news |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/16745077.carlisle-utd-striker-sam-cosgrove-leaves-aberdeen-40-000-deal/ |title=Carlisle Utd striker Sam Cosgrove leaves for Aberdeen in £40,000 deal |newspaper=News and Star |location=Carlisle |date=31 January 2018 |access-date=21 March 2021}} Eight minutes into his debut, a 2–0 defeat against Celtic on 25 February, he was sent off for a "reckless challenge" on opposing captain Scott Brown.{{cite news |url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/donsnews/sam-was-very-down-and-it-is-up-to-us-to-support-him-as-we-will-do-sam-is-one-of-us-says-boss/ |title='Sam is one of us' – Aberdeen boss McInnes backs debutant striker after tackle on Celtic captain Scott Brown |first=Sean |last=Wallace |newspaper=Evening Express |location=Aberdeen |date=1 March 2018 |access-date=21 March 2021}} After playing just 11 minutes in the Scottish Cup over the next few weeks, he made his first Aberdeen start on 27 April, set up a goal for Anthony O'Connor in a 2–0 win against Hearts,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43833109 |title=Aberdeen 2–0 Heart of Midlothian |first=Brian |last=McLauchlin |website=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2018 |access-date=21 March 2021}} and helped them beat Celtic in the last match of the season to finish as runners-up.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44020123 |title=Celtic 0–2 Aberdeen |first=Chris |last=McLaughlin |website=BBC Sport |date=13 May 2018 |access-date=21 March 2021}}

Aberdeen legend Willie Miller wrote that Cosgrove was well placed to fill the striker vacancy caused by Adam Rooney's departure, and might have the mentality to seize the opportunity, but his impression was that manager Derek McInnes felt he "still [had] a lot of developing to do".{{cite news |url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/opinion/columnists/willie-miller/ball-ferguson-and-cosgrove-will-be-looking-to-secure-place-in-first-11-for-challenges-ahead/ |title=Willie Miller: Ball, Ferguson and Cosgrove will be looking to secure place in Dons first 11 for challenges ahead |first=Willie |last=Miller |newspaper=Evening Express |location=Aberdeen |date=23 July 2018 |access-date=22 March 2021}} McInnes spoke of the importance to the team of his "size, his strength, his willingness to occupy defenders" after Cosgrove scored an "emphatic header" against West Bromwich Albion in pre-season.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/sam-cosgrove-fills-aberdeen-void-left-by-adam-rooney-l0w6c70tc |title=Sam Cosgrove fills Aberdeen void left by Adam Rooney |first=Ben |last=Palmer |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=21 July 2018 |access-date=22 March 2021 |url-access=subscription}} In the Europa League qualifier against Burnley, he won a penalty, converted by Gary Mackay-Steven to open the scoring in a 1–1 draw;{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44938522 |title=Aberdeen 1–1 Burnley |first=Tom |last=English |website=BBC Sport |date=26 July 2018 |access-date=22 March 2021}} although they lost the second leg after extra time, he took confidence from performing well against top-class defenders. Alternating between starter and substitute, he finally scored for the club on his 17th appearance, with two goals in a 4–1 win against St Mirren on 6 October.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45688826 |title=Aberdeen 4–1 St Mirren |first=Andrew |last=Southwick |website=BBC Sport |date=6 October 2018 |access-date=23 March 2021}}

Cosgrove started the Scottish League Cup Final, which Aberdeen lost 1–0 to Celtic on 2 December.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46337733 |title=Celtic 1–0 Aberdeen |first=Tom |last=English |website=BBC Sport |date=2 December 2018 |access-date=23 March 2021}} In the next match, in which Aberdeen beat Rangers at Ibrox, he was sent off for a second bookable offence which pundits felt was not a foul.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46469498 |title=Scottish Premiership refereeing decisions: 'Embarrassing, controversial & barely a foul' – Sportscene pundits' verdict |website=BBC Sport |date=6 December 2018 |access-date=23 March 2021}} After serving a one-match ban, he scored and assisted in a 3–2 win against Livingston; a booking for simulation was rescinded.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46569374 |title=Sam Cosgrove: Aberdeen win appeal against 'diving' yellow card |website=BBC Sport |date=14 December 2018 |access-date=25 March 2021}} Six more goals in December earned him the Scottish Premiership Player of the Month award.{{cite news |url=https://archive.news.stv.tv/sport/1434460-mcinnes-and-cosgrove-win-premiership-monthly-awards.html |title=McInnes and Cosgrove win Premiership monthly awards |website=STV News |date=10 January 2019 |access-date=23 March 2021}} He signed a contract extension to 2022, scored three more goals in January and five in February, but then his scoring form dipped. He reached his target of 20 on 6 April, but it was the last day of the season before the 21st arrived.{{cite news |title=Sam Cosgrove sets new Aberdeen target after hitting 20th goal of season ahead of Celtic clash |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sam-cosgrove-sets-new-aberdeen-14251617 |first=Scott |last=Burns |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=8 April 2019 |access-date=23 March 2021}} His 17 Premiership goals placed him second only to Rangers' Alfredo Morelos (18) as top scorer.

Strike partner Stevie May saw the team's improved creativity as a factor in Cosgrove's greater effectiveness,{{cite news |url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/donsnews/sharp-shot-sam-makes-best-of-new-creative-run-says-stevie/ |title=Sharp-shot Cosgrove has made best of Aberdeen's fresh creativity says strike partner May |first=Callum |last=Law |newspaper=Evening Express |location=Aberdeen |date=25 January 2019 |access-date=25 March 2021}} while McInnes highlighted how a focus on "movement, anticipation and speed of thought"{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/09/27/derek-mcinnes-sam-cosgrove-aberdeen-turned-low-league-reserve/ |title=Derek McInnes and Sam Cosgrove on how Aberdeen turned a low league reserve into a Europa League top scorer |first=JJ |last=Bull |website=The Telegraph |date=27 September 2019 |access-date=25 March 2021}} helped him react more like a smaller striker than a pure target man. He became increasingly "capable of impacting games from a deeper position" using his pace.{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-sam-cosgrove-can-eclipse-14003280 |title=How Sam Cosgrove can eclipse the feats of Aberdeen strike legend Adam Rooney |first=Jack |last=Thomson |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=15 February 2019 |access-date=25 March 2021}} Six goals in four Europa League qualifiers, including a hat-trick against Chikhura Sachkhere, proved McInnes' point that Aberdeen had been right to persevere with Cosgrove despite media criticism.{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/aberdeen-5-chikhura-sachkhere-0-18814567 |title=Aberdeen 5 Chikhura Sachkhere 0 as Sam Cosgrove turns heads with brilliant Europa League hat-trick |first=Scott |last=Burns |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=1 August 2019 |access-date=22 March 2021}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49200650 |title=Aberdeen's Sam Cosgrove 'proving doubters wrong' – Derek McInnes |website=BBC Sport |date=1 August 2019 |access-date=9 February 2021}} He continued with two goals in a 3–2 league win against Hearts,{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/aberdeen-3-hearts-2-sam-18827006 |title=Aberdeen 3 Hearts 2 as Sam Cosgrove double earns Dons opening day win in explosive match – 3 talking points |first=Fraser |last=Wilson |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=4 August 2019 |access-date=22 March 2021}} an extra-time winner in the League Cup,{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/dundee-1-aberdeen-2-sam-18958325 |title=Dundee 1 Aberdeen 2 as Sam Cosgrove scores extra-time winner to set up Hearts quarter-final clash |first=Scott |last=Burns |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=18 August 2019 |access-date=21 March 2021}} and 11 goals from his next 18 matches, in the last of which he was controversially sent off for a forceful tackle.{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derek-mcinnes-kris-ajer-wink-21142368 |title=Derek McInnes in Kris Ajer Celtic 'wink' claim as Aberdeen boss comes out swinging in support of Sam Cosgrove |first=Gabriel |last=McKay |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=21 December 2019 |access-date=21 March 2021}} He set himself a 30-goal target, last achieved for Aberdeen by Joe Harper in 1978–79,{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sam-cosgrove-sets-bold-aberdeen-20974956 |title=Sam Cosgrove sets lofty Aberdeen target as on-fire hitman vows to keep the goals coming |first=Scott |last=Burns |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=28 November 2019 |access-date=21 March 2021}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/donsnews/will-striker-cosgrove-break-40-year-old-aberdeen-record/ |title=Will striker Cosgrove break 40-year-old Aberdeen record? |first=Sean |last=Wallace |newspaper=Evening Express |location=Aberdeen |date=4 November 2019 |access-date=21 March 2021}} but a seven-match goal drought and a back injury left him on 23 and the team in fourth place when the season was curtailed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/2057555/aberdeen-come-from-behind-to-beat-hibernian/ |title=Aberdeen come from behind to beat Hibernian |first=Paul |last=Third |newspaper=Press and Journal |location=Aberdeen |date=7 March 2020 |access-date=25 March 2021}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52646282 |title=Celtic champions & Hearts relegated after SPFL ends season |website=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2020 |access-date=21 March 2021}}

Despite reports of interest from clubs in England and further afield during the past season, Aberdeen confirmed that there had been no offers.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49421695 |title=Sam Cosgrove: Aberdeen say no Lazio contact after Italian report |website=BBC Sport |date=21 August 2019 |access-date=21 March 2021}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50816798 |title=Aberdeen: No offers for Sam Cosgrove & Scott McKenna, says chairman |first=Stephen |last=Couse |website=BBC Sport |date=16 December 2019 |access-date=21 March 2021}} In July 2020, the club accepted a bid in excess of £2 million from French club Guingamp for Cosgrove, who rejected the move. He then damaged a knee and was out for three months,{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sam-cosgrove-toasts-aberdeen-goalscoring-22978387 |title=Sam Cosgrove toasts Aberdeen goalscoring return as he opens up on whirlwind Guingamp transfer saga |first=Scott |last=Burns |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=9 November 2020 |access-date=21 March 2021}} during which time he was one of eight Aberdeen players who were heavily fined by the club and received a suspended three-match ban from the Scottish Football Association after breaching COVID protocols by visiting a bar as a group.{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aberdeen-8-hit-heavy-fines-22521793 |title=Aberdeen 8 hit with heavy fines as Dons 'severely reprimand' players for COVID rule breach |first=Mark |last=McDougall |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=14 August 2020 |access-date=25 March 2021}} He returned to action on 25 October, set up a goal for Ryan Hedges in a 3–3 draw with Celtic,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54587989 |title=Aberdeen 3–3 Celtic |first=Andy |last=Campbell |website=BBC Sport |date=25 October 2020|access-date=21 March 2021}} and scored two weeks later, but his lack of match fitness was telling. He was not starting regularly, and fellow striker Curtis Main was out of form; by the end of January, they had three goals apiece.{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derek-mcinnes-admits-celtic-spooked-22940701 |title=Derek McInnes admits Celtic 'spooked' Aberdeen rearguard as boss addresses Sam Cosgrove gamble |first=Steven |last=Mair |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=20 December 2020 |access-date=21 March 2021}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/opinion/columnists/willie-miller/willie-miller-column-curtis-staking-his-claim-to-be-aberdeens-main-man/ |title=Willie Miller column: Curtis staking his claim to be Aberdeen's Main man |first=Willie |last=Miller |newspaper=Evening Express |location=Aberdeen |date=15 December 2020 |access-date=21 March 2021}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/donsnews/aberdeen-boss-derek-mcinnes-demands-misfiring-attack-sharpen-up/ |title=Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes demands misfiring attack sharpen up |first=Sean |last=Wallace |newspaper=Evening Express |location=Aberdeen |date=19 January 2021 |access-date=21 March 2021}} Financial Fair Play restrictions reportedly put Cosgrove out of Sheffield Wednesday's reach,{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sam-cosgrove-transfer-news-sheffield-23382154 |title=Sam Cosgrove transfer news as Sheffield Wednesday priced out of move for Aberdeen star |first=Scott |last=Burns |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=26 January 2021 |access-date=21 March 2021}} but a £2 million bid from Birmingham City was accepted.

Cosgrove signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Championship club Birmingham City on 31 January 2021. The fee was officially undisclosed.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55853840 |title=Birmingham sign Aberdeen striker Cosgrove |website=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2021 |access-date=21 March 2021}} The News and Star reported that Carlisle United would benefit from a sell-on clause, possibly to the extent of 20% of Aberdeen's profit on the deal.{{cite news |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/19053006.carlisle-united-set-benefit-striker-cosgrove-joins-birmingham/ |title=Carlisle United set to benefit after striker Sam Cosgrove joins Birmingham City from Aberdeen |first=Jon |last=Colman |newspaper=News and Star |location=Carlisle |date=31 January 2021 |access-date=21 March 2021}} He made his debut on 6 February as a very late substitute in a 3–2 defeat away to AFC Bournemouth, but although the team were in need of goals and head coach Aitor Karanka stated that if the January signings "don't start [on 13 February] they will do it soon",{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aitor-karanka-drops-hint-new-19777210 |title=Aitor Karanka drops new signing hint ahead of Birmingham City's clash with Luton Town |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=12 February 2021 |access-date=16 August 2021}} his three appearances before Karanka was sacked a month later were all from the bench. Incoming head coach Lee Bowyer, tasked with achieving Championship survival, selected Scott Hogan and Lukas Jutkiewicz as his strike pairing of choice.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/seven-points-23-days-lee-20333857 |title=Seven points, 23 days – Lee Bowyer's remarkable Birmingham City turnaround |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=7 April 2021 |access-date=16 August 2021}} He saw Cosgrove as a potential like-for-like replacement for Jutkiewicz, but without the latter's physicality and consistency of performance, and it was only when relegation was avoided with two matches still to play that Cosgrove made his first start as one of the many squad players whom Bowyer wanted to assess.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/lee-bowyer-reveals-birmingham-city-20483004 |title=Lee Bowyer reveals the Birmingham City man who has been 'staying behind' at training |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=28 April 2021 |access-date=16 August 2021}}

He joined League One club Shrewsbury Town on 11 August 2021 on loan for the season,{{cite news |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2021/08/11/shrewsbury-town-sign-striker-sam-cosgrove-on-loan-from-birmingham-city/ |title=Shrewsbury Town sign striker Sam Cosgrove on loan from Birmingham City |newspaper=Shropshire Star |date=11 August 2021 |access-date=16 August 2021}} and made his debut three days later away to Morecambe, replacing Nathanael Ogbeta at half-time with his side 2–0 down. Although his side were, according to the Shropshire Star, "much sharper after the break", the score remained unchanged.{{cite news |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2021/08/14/morecambe-2-shrewsbury-town-0---report/ |title=Morecambe 2 Shrewsbury Town 0 – Report |first=Lewis |last=Cox |newspaper=Shropshire Star |date=14 August 2021 |access-date=16 August 2021}}

Cosgrove was recalled from Shrewsbury and signed for another League One team, AFC Wimbledon, on 31 January 2022 on loan for the rest of the season.{{cite news |url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/afc-wimbledon-complete-loan-deal-for-birmingham-city-forward-sam-cosgrove/ |title=AFC Wimbledon complete loan deal for Birmingham City forward Sam Cosgrove |first=Kai |last=Bennett |website=London News Online |date=31 January 2022 |access-date=5 February 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/birmingham-city-transfers-striker-cosgrove-22933889 |title=Confirmed: Birmingham City sanction fresh transfer after striker recall |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=31 January 2022 |access-date=5 February 2022}} Not registered in time for the next day's match,{{cite news |url=https://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/dropthedons/19900853.two-players-make-debuts-wimbledon-match-charlton/ |title=Two players could make debuts for Wimbledon in match against Charlton |first=Henry |last=Tomlinson |newspaper=Wimbledon Times |date=4 February 2022 |access-date=5 February 2022}} he started and played 67 minutes in a 3–2 defeat away to Charlton Athletic on 5 February.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60178757 |title=Charlton Athletic 3–2 AFC Wimbledon |website=BBC Sport |agency=PA Media |date=5 February 2022 |access-date=5 February 2022}}

He made three first-team appearances for Birmingham in August 2022, before returning to League One when he joined Plymouth Argyle on 1 September on loan for the remainder of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62752349 |title=Plymouth sign Birmingham striker Cosgrove |website=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2022 |access-date=2 September 2022}} He made his debut two days later, coming on after 75 minutes of Argyle's visit to Derby County with his side 2–1 down. With his first touch of the ball, he turned Niall Ennis's cross-shot into the net, and on 90 minutes, he broke at pace and beat the goalkeeper with a low shot to secure a 3–2 win.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/derby-county-vs-plymouth-argyle/report/469005 |title=Derby County 2–3 Plymouth: Sam Cosgrove scores twice as Argyle win five-goal thriller |website=Sky Sports |date=3 September 2022 |access-date=3 September 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/sport/football/two-goal-sam-cosgrove-clinches-7537650 |title=Two-goal Sam Cosgrove clinches Plymouth Argyle comeback win against Derby County |first=Chris |last=Errington |website=Plymouth Live |date=3 September 2022 |access-date=3 September 2022}}

On 21 December, Cosgrove scored a second-half hat-trick against AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Trophy. Argyle trailed 3–0 at half-time, but Cosgrove's goals against his former club took the tie to penalties, which Plymouth won 4–3 to book their place in the quarter-finals.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64045202 |title=Plymouth fight back to beat Wimbledon on penalties |website=BBC Sport |date=21 December 2022 |access-date=8 February 2023}}

Cosgrove ended his spell at Plymouth with a League One winners' medal.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65439608 |title=Plymouth beat Port Vale to win League One title |website=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2023 |access-date=10 May 2023}} He scored twelve goals in all competitions for the club.

Cosgrove played twice for Birmingham in the 2023–24 EFL Cup and was a regular on the bench in Championship matches, before he was released on 1 September to enable him to join League One club Barnsley on a two-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66689972 |title=Sam Cosgrove and Owen Dodgson: Barnsley bring in duo |website=BBC Sport |date=2 September 2023 |access-date=2 September 2023}}

With his Barnsley contract due to expire, Cosgrove joined League One rivals Stockport County on 3 February 2025 on loan until the end of the 2024–25 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.barnsleychronicle.com/article/30945/rodrigues-in-and-cosgrove-out |title=Rodrigues in and Cosgrove out |newspaper=Barnsley Chronicle |date=3 February 2025 |access-date=4 February 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c3e1wzy59ejo|title=Stockport County sign Owen Moxon and bring in Sam Cosgrove & Brad Hills on loan|date=3 February 2025|website=BBC Sport}} He was released by Barnsley at the end of the 2024–25 season.https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2025/may/07/retained-list1/

{{Updated|match played 12 April 2025}}

{{notelist}}

Plymouth Argyle

• EFL League One: 2022–23
• EFL Trophy runner-up: 2022–23{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65088981|title=Bolton crush Plymouth to win Papa Johns Trophy|website=BBC Sport|first=Brent|last=Pilnick|date=2 April 2023|access-date=14 April 2023}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

{{Barnsley F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cosgrove, Sam}}

Category:1996 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Beverley

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players

Category:Barrow A.F.C. players

Category:Chorley F.C. players

Category:Nantwich Town F.C. players

Category:North Ferriby United A.F.C. players

Category:Carlisle United F.C. players

Category:Aberdeen F.C. players

Category:Birmingham City F.C. players

Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players

Category:AFC Wimbledon players

Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players

Category:Barnsley F.C. players

Category:Stockport County F.C. players

Category:National League (English football) players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Scottish Professional Football League players

Category:21st-century English sportsmen