Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen is set to arrive in Istanbul this week for his grand unveiling as a Galatasaray player, following the completion of a sensational €75 million transfer from Napoli.
According to Turkish sports outlet Fanatik, Abdullah Kavukcu, Vice President of Galatasaray, is scheduled to fly to Italy on Tuesday or Wednesday to finalize the deal and escort Osimhen back to Turkey.
Galatasaray are planning to officially present Osimhen to their fans during their home match against Lazio on Saturday, August 2. The club has reportedly agreed to pay Napoli €40 million upfront, with the remaining €35 million due by the end of 2026.
The 26-year-old striker is expected to earn €16 million annually with the Turkish giants, making him one of the highest-paid players in the club’s history.
This move comes after weeks of speculation and negotiations between the player’s representatives, Napoli, and Galatasaray, all of which have now been concluded successfully.
Though the deal marks Osimhen’s official move to Turkey, he already boasts an impressive record from his previous season with Napoli, where he featured in 41 matches, scored 37 goals, and recorded 8 assists. Galatasaray fans are eagerly awaiting his goal-scoring prowess as the new season approaches.
In a viral YouTube video released on Wednesday, Osimhen opened up about his humble beginnings in Lagos, Nigeria. He spoke candidly about the struggles his family faced while growing up.
“Seven children, my mum, and my dad all lived in a single room,” he shared. “Most people who know me know that I would have succeeded even without football. But the conditions where I grew up were far from encouraging.”
The Super Eagles forward recounted the challenges of pursuing football in a neighborhood where dreams were easily extinguished due to lack of opportunities.
“This small community was full of talent. But when the field shut down, many dreams died. I couldn’t let my dream die. I had to go to different places to train and play.”
At one point, Osimhen revealed he had to put football on hold to survive financially.
“For a few years, I had to quit football and take jobs like carrying water. But I always knew my true calling was football,” he added.
Despite his global fame, Osimhen has often spoken about the personal cost of success. In a recent interview posted on X by Instablog, he reflected on how stardom affects his family and privacy.
“Fame is boring. Sometimes you want to go outside, and you cannot do a lot of things,” he said, recalling how he missed his daughter’s first outing due to overwhelming fan presence.
However, Osimhen stated he remains grounded by staying close to ordinary people.
“If I have my security and they are strapped, for me, I’m good. I can be among these people. I don’t care. This is my life. This is how I live.”
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