Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen is set to touch down in Istanbul this week, as Galatasaray prepares to officially unveil him following the completion of his high-profile €75 million transfer from Napoli.
According to Turkish outlet Fanatik, Galatasaray Vice President Abdullah Kavukcu is scheduled to travel to Italy on Tuesday or Wednesday to finalize the final stages of the deal. Osimhen is expected to return with him to Turkey, where a signing ceremony is planned during the club’s home clash against Lazio on Saturday, August 2.
The deal will see Galatasaray pay €40 million upfront, with the remaining €35 million due by the end of 2026. Osimhen is set to become one of the highest-paid players in Turkish football history, earning an annual salary of €16 million with the Istanbul giants.
Although reports erroneously claimed that Osimhen had already featured for Galatasaray, the 26-year-old scored 37 goals and made 8 assists in 41 appearances for Napoli last season—continuing his prolific scoring form that has caught global attention.
Speaking in a recent YouTube interview, Osimhen reflected on his humble upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria. “Seven children, my mum, and my dad all lived in a single room,” he recalled. “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.”
He shared how his childhood community, though rich in football talent, lacked opportunity: “This small community was full of talent. But when the field shut down, many dreams died. I couldn’t let mine die.”
Osimhen also spoke about the tough sacrifices he made early in life. “For a few years, I had to quit football and take jobs like carrying water,” he said. “But I always knew my true calling was football.”
Reflecting on his journey, he added, “What this neighborhood taught me is this: nothing is handed to you on a silver platter. Whatever you want, you have to fight for it.”
Despite the glory that has come with his rise, Osimhen admitted that fame has its downsides. “Fame is boring. Sometimes you want to go outside, and you cannot do a lot of things,” he said in a viral interview posted via Instablog on X (formerly Twitter).
He revealed that the public spotlight caused him to miss his daughter’s first outing, highlighting the personal toll of being in the limelight. Still, Osimhen remains grounded: “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.”
As Galatasaray fans prepare to welcome their newest star, Osimhen’s story remains one of resilience, ambition, and a fierce determination to succeed—no matter the odds.
