Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen is set to embark on a new chapter in his career with a season-long loan move to Turkish giants Galatasaray from Napoli.
The deal, which was finalized on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, ends weeks of intense speculation surrounding the striker’s future.
One of the most talked-about aspects of Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray is his decision to wear the number 45 jersey.
Unlike the number 9 shirt he donned at Napoli, Lille, and for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Osimhen specifically requested the number 45 at Galatasaray.
Nigerian broadcast journalist Onyebuchi Onokala, popularly known as Buchi Laba, revealed the reason behind this choice.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Laba explained, “Victor Osimhen will be wearing number 45 at Galatasaray. He personally requested that jersey number because it was his good-luck number back at Belgian club Charleroi.”
Osimhen’s connection to the number 45 dates back to his time at Charleroi, where he enjoyed a breakthrough season.
Wearing the number 45, he scored 20 goals in 36 appearances, which attracted the attention of top European clubs and eventually led to his move to Lille in 2019.
Galatasaray, in an official statement, confirmed that Osimhen will earn a net seasonal salary of €6 million during his time with the club.
This translates to approximately €115,000 per week after tax, making him one of the highest-paid players in the Turkish Super League.
“An agreement has been reached with professional footballer Victor James Osimhen and his club SSC Napoli for the temporary transfer of the player free of charge,” the club’s statement read.
“The football player will be paid a net seasonal salary of 6,000,000 euros for the 2024-2025 season.”
Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray concludes a dramatic transfer saga that involved several major clubs.
Earlier in the transfer window, the Nigerian striker was linked with a move to Chelsea in the English Premier League and Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli.
However, negotiations with Chelsea broke down late in the transfer window, and the Saudi deal also fell through, leaving Osimhen in a difficult position as the clock ticked down.
Napoli, the Serie A club where Osimhen has been a key player since his arrival in 2020, faced a challenging decision as the transfer window neared its close.
Osimhen joined Napoli in 2020 for a then club-record fee of €70 million, making him the most expensive African player in history at the time.
His arrival in Naples was met with high expectations, and the Nigerian forward did not disappoint.
In his first season, Osimhen scored 10 goals in 24 Serie A appearances, despite struggling with injuries.
The 2022-2023 season was a standout campaign for Osimhen as he led Napoli to their first Serie A title in over three decades.
His 26 goals in the league earned him the Capocannoniere, the award for the top scorer in Serie A.
His performances also garnered him the African Footballer of the Year award, further cementing his status as one of the continent’s top talents.
Galatasaray, one of the most successful clubs in Turkey, is known for its passionate fanbase and fierce rivalry with Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş.
Galatasaray is currently aiming to reclaim the Turkish Super League title, and the addition of Osimhen is expected to significantly bolster their attacking options.
