Galatasaray Secures Major Signing with Victor Osimhen
Galatasaray’s vice president, Abdullah Kavukcu, has shared insights into the remarkable decision made by Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to join the Turkish club permanently. The move, which came at a cost of €75 million, marks a significant milestone in Turkish football history.
Kavukcu highlighted that Osimhen turned down substantial financial offers from other clubs to commit to Galatasaray. He described the Nigerian forward’s choice as a true sacrifice, emphasizing that the amount Osimhen gave up is something no other player would consider.
“Victor gave up a sum no other player would ever give up, and we are happy to have him,” Kavukcu stated during a press conference after the official announcement of the transfer. He also expressed pride in securing Osimhen without jeopardizing the club’s financial stability.
“We have never compromised our position, and we have shown our strength,” Kavukcu added. “Thank God, we have signed Victor without creating debt for the future. This is an incredible source of pride for us all.”
The deal was not without competition. Osimhen had attracted interest from major European clubs, including Juventus and Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia. However, he ultimately chose Galatasaray, rejecting a lucrative €40 million-a-year contract offer from Al-Hilal.
According to reports, Osimhen will earn €15 million per season at Galatasaray, along with performance-based add-ons. This is significantly less than what he could have earned elsewhere, but it reflects his strong emotional connection to the club.
Osimhen’s decision to commit permanently was influenced by his positive experience during his loan spell with Galatasaray. He became a fan favorite, scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions during the 2024/25 season.
His €75 million transfer fee makes him the most expensive player in Turkish football history, surpassing the previous record held by Youssef En-Nesyri, who joined Fenerbahçe for €19.5 million.
In his first official interview with Galatasaray, Osimhen expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to play for the club. He described Galatasaray as the perfect environment for him to express himself fully through his football.
“This is where I can express myself fully through my football and with everything that I am,” Osimhen said in an interview with Galatasaray’s official YouTube channel. “I’m truly grateful to everyone who worked to bring me here. I came because I love this place, and I feel good here.”
Osimhen was welcomed to Istanbul with great enthusiasm. Thousands of fans gathered at Atatürk Airport and lined the streets to celebrate his arrival. His decision to commit permanently was also influenced by the overwhelming support he received from Galatasaray supporters throughout his loan spell.
“I want to sincerely thank all the fans who followed our flight and came out to welcome me,” Osimhen said. “I believe I will give my best here and show myself in the best way. I can’t wait to meet the fans again. This is my home now.”
Before joining Galatasaray, Osimhen played for Napoli, where he scored 76 goals in 133 appearances. He contributed to their 2022/23 Serie A title win as the league’s top scorer. He expressed his appreciation for his time at Napoli on social media following his permanent move to Galatasaray.
The signing of Osimhen represents a major achievement for Galatasaray and highlights the club’s growing influence in the world of football. It also underscores the importance of building strong relationships with players and fans alike.