Victor Osimhen: Reason Super Eagles Star Chose Number 45 at Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen: Reason Super Eagles Star Chose Number 45 at Galatasaray

  • Victor Osimhen has completed a season-long loan move to Turkish champions Galatasaray
  • The Super Eagles forward will wear the number 45 jersey, which she specifically requested
  • A reason has emerged as to why he chose it with Gala's number nine taken by Mauro Icardi

Victor Osimhen has chosen the number 45 jersey at Galatasaray after completing a season-long loan move to the Turkish champions from Italian club Napoli.

Osimhen missed out on leaving Estadio Diego Armando Maradona Stadium before the top five European leagues' deadline day on August 30, 2024.

Victor Osimhen during his time at Belgian club Royal Charleroi.
Victor Osimhen wore the jersey number 45 at Royal Charleroi. Photo by Vincent Van Doornick.
Source: UGC

He was in negotiations with Chelsea until a few minutes before the deadline, but the two parties could not come to an agreement as they were far apart in salary demands and offers.

According to Tutto Napoli, the Nigerian has picked up jersey number 45 in Turkey, as against widespread speculation he will wear number 99, which is allowed in the Super Lig.

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Why Osimhen chose number 45

According to Nigerian journalist Buchi Laba, Osimhen specifically requested for the number 45 jersey because it was the same one he donned at Royal Charleroi, which he believes is his lucky charm.

Osimhen’s success story in Europe began at the Belgian club after initially struggling in his first adventure at VfL Wolfsburg. He scored 20 goals in 36 games, which earned him a move to Lille.

He spent one season at the French Ligue 1 club, scoring 13 league goals before the coronavirus forced a cancellation of the season. His haul of 13 goals that season was second only to Neymar’s 18 at Paris Saint-Germain.

He secured a blockbuster move to Napoli after the Neapolitans paid Lille a whopping €81 million. He finally arrived big in Europe and helped the Italians win the title in 2023.

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Galatasaray troll Chelsea after signing Victor Osimhen on loan

Galatasaray troll Chelsea

Briefly News reported on Galatasaray aiming a dig at Chelsea after the Turkish champions secured the signature of Victor Osimhen on loan until the end of the season.

Chelsea was one of the clubs that pursued the Super Eagles striker in the summer transfer window but could not match the players' salary demands. Osimhen failed to secure a move away from Napoli before the window closed in the top five European leagues after seeing moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea collapse

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Viginia Akinyi avatar

Viginia Akinyi (sports editor) Viginia Akinyi is the current import editor at Briefly News. She holds a B.Sc. in Communication and Public Relations from Moi University and has previously worked with Lolwe TV, Daily Nation Eldoret Bureau and SportsBrief.com. Email: viginia.akinyi@briefly.co.za