Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has joined Turkish side Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Italian champions Napoli. The 25-year-old forward, who was greeted by fans at the Istanbul airport, will receive a salary of $6.6 million for the season. Napoli confirmed the loan agreement with Galatasaray until June 30, with the possibility of extending Osimhen’s contract until 2027.
Osimhen had been seeking a move away from Napoli after the club faced internal issues following their third league title win in 2023. Despite scoring 17 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions, the team left him off their squad list for the current season, with his number 9 shirt taken by new signing Romelu Lukaku. Napoli recently went through three coaches and finished 10th in Serie A.
Napoli had set a release clause of $144.3 million when renewing Osimhen’s contract in December, with a reported net salary of $12.1 million that expires in 2026. Clubs like Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Al-Alhi were unable to meet both Napoli’s valuation and Osimhen’s salary demands. Napoli has been actively rebuilding the team for new coach Antonio Conte, bringing in a total of seven new players to refresh the squad.
Victor Osimhen will be joining former Napoli player Dries Mertens in Istanbul and is expected to fill in for Mauro Icardi, who is currently injured. Galatasaray, who were eliminated in the Champions League playoffs, will be competing in the Europa League this season, facing off against teams like Tottenham, Ajax, and AZ Alkmaar. Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray provides him with an opportunity to play in European competition and showcase his talents in a new environment.
The loan agreement between Galatasaray and Napoli does not include an option to buy for the Turkish champions, allowing Osimhen to return to Napoli at the end of the season. The Nigerian international will be aiming to make a significant impact at Galatasaray and help the team achieve success in both domestic and European competitions. Despite the challenges he faced at Napoli, Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray offers him a fresh start and the chance to continue developing as a player at a high level.
