The structure of the nucleus 25 9 F was investigated through in-beam γ -ray spectroscopy of the fragmentation of 26 Ne and 27,28 Na ion beams. Based on the particle-γ and particle-γ γ coincidence data, a level scheme was constructed and compared with shell model and coupled-cluster calculations. Some of the observed states were interpreted as quasi-single-particle states built on top of the closed-shell nucleus 24 O, while the others were described as states arising from coupling of a single proton to the 2 + core excitation of 24 O.