Victor Osimhen’s First Words As Galatasaray Star Emerges After Completing Move From Napoli
- Victor Osimhen will complete his permanent move to Napoli after his medical checks and contract signing
- Osimhen accepted to continue at Galatasaray next season after spending 2024/25 season on loan in Turkey
- The Super Eagles striker has spoken to the fans after arriving at Istanbul airport to seal his transfer
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Victor Osimhen has arrived in Istanbul ahead of completing his permanent move to Galatasaray from Napoli after all parties agreed on the terms.
Osimhen spent last season on loan at Rams Park. He impressed despite being a loan player, which prompted Galatasaray to sign him permanently.
Source: Getty Images
He netted 37 goals and provided eight assists in 41 games in all competitions to help them win the Turkish Super League and Ziraat Cup double.
Osimhen's first words as new Galatasaray star
Osimhen had a lucrative offer from the oil-rich Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, but turned it down in favour of continuing his time with Galatasaray.
Speaking to GS TV ahead of boarding his flight from Germany to Istanbul, he spoke Turkish for the first time to send a message to the fans.
“Solo il Gala,” he said.
It translates to “only Gala”, affirming the Nigerian forward's commitment to the club despite the interest from Al-Hilal and other top European clubs.
Osimhen landed at the Atatürk International airport at past 9 pm local Turkish time to a crowd of supporters, many of whom had been waiting for 12 hours.
He alighted from the plane with his daughter and his girlfriend Stephanie Kim Ladewig, and the first thing he said was, “I love Galatasaray so much.”
“The story continues. I'm happy to continue this story with GALA. Honestly, I'm struggling to find the words to describe this. I feel amazing being here. I mean, look at the crowd, look at the people following my flight... I'm home,” he said.
“This is where I want to be. I'm so happy to be here, to be able to come back. It's wonderful to return to a place where I feel safe, where I feel at home with my family, my friends, and myself.
“ have a deep bond with this club, this city, these people. That's why I fought so hard to come back here. I continue to live this feeling, to play for a purpose. I want to do my best for both myself and the fans, and I'm really happy to be here…”
Mertens' son applauds Osimhen
Source: Getty Images
Osimhen's former teammate at Napoli, Dries Mertens, who played a big role in convincing him to join Galatasaray, shared a message from his son, Ciro Mertens, to Osimhen.
"Thank you, Osimhen, for the 5th star. You are the best. Welcome to Galatasaray. Good luck,” he said, as quoted by Nexus Transfer.
The Belgian international attacker left Galatasaray at the end of last season and announced his retirement from professional football.
Record crowd waited for Osimhen in Istanbul
Legit.ng reported that a record crowd waited for Osimhen ahead of his arrival in Istanbul to complete the formalities of his permanent move to Galatasaray.
Gala's vice president, Abdullah Kavukcu, flew to Germany to join the striker, and both flew back to Istanbul with the player's family and entourage
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
