Nigerian football star, Victor Osimhen, has opened up about his decision to leave Italian champions Napoli and join Turkish giants Galatasaray in a last-minute move during the summer transfer window.
In an interview with Turkish media outlet TRT Spor, Osimhen explained the reasons behind his choice, saying it was entirely his decision, driven by what he believed was best for him at the time.
Osimhen, 25, admitted that despite the challenges he faced at Napoli, he had initially planned to remain with the club for a few more months before potentially making a move in January. However, the striker emphasized that he refused to let external factors influence his decision.
“I had plans to stay there and wait for three or four months, and leave in January, but I think for me, it was fair also to stay there because I wouldn’t let anyone decide for me,” Osimhen said during the interview.
The turning point for Osimhen came when Galatasaray’s head coach, Okan Buruk, reached out to him personally.
According to Osimhen, Buruk’s vision for the upcoming season and his ambition to achieve great things with Galatasaray were persuasive enough to make him change his mind and commit to a new challenge in Turkey.
“When I received the call from the Galatasaray coach, it was really convincing. He said what he wanted to do this season, and what he wanted to achieve. I could see what he had set for himself as a man, a coach, and a father,” the Nigerian forward added.
Osimhen also expressed his confidence in the team, praising the quality of players at Galatasaray and the club’s ambitious goals for the future. He said the squad’s potential and the coach’s clear plan made it easy for him to fit in.
“I think I fit in this plan, and coming to a team with already a lot of quality players with great ambition, as a footballer it was easy to come,” he remarked.
Despite suffering an injury early in his Galatasaray career, Osimhen has already scored two goals for the Turkish club. His arrival has boosted the team’s attacking options, and fans are eagerly awaiting his return to full fitness to see more of what he can bring to the squad.
