Victor Osimhen Starts for Galatasaray to Make His Debut vs Rizespor
- Victor Osimhen is set to make his Galatasaray debut after joining on loan from Napoli
- Okan Buruk named the Super Eagles forward in the XI for the match day four affair
- Former Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi makes way for the Super Eagles starting the lineup
Victor Osimhen is set to make his Galatasaray debut against Rizespor after manager Okan Buruk named him in the starting lineup for the match day four encounter.
Osimhen joined the Turkish champions on a season-long loan from Napoli after seeing his proposed move to Chelsea collapsed on the European deadline day.
Galatasaray will be looking to make it four in four wins against Rizespor, having won their opening three games as they begin their title defence after a keenly contested race against Fenerbahce last season.
Osimhen starts from the bench
As seen in photos shared on social media, the Nigerian forward resumed training for the first time on Thursday, two days after helping the Super Eagles draw 0-0 against Rwanda.
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He showed no rustiness during the international break despite not playing competitive football since the end of the 2024/25 Italian Serie A season, in which Napoli finished ninth.
Head coach Okan Buruk opted to name Osimhen in the starting lineup for the encounter as seen in the lineup shared on club's official Instagram account, with Mauro Icardi dropping to the bench.
The former LOSC Lille star is trusted to start despite resuming on Thursday and he is expected to help Gala maintain their winning start to their title defence.
Arsenal rejected chance to sign Osimhen
Briefly News reported that Arsenal rejected the chance to sign Victor Osimhen before the Super Eagles forward completed a season-long loan move to Galatasaray.
He joined the Turkish champions after most interested clubs could either not afford the cost of his transfer or offered him wages ridiculously below his demands.
Osimhen was one of the strikers considered alongside Newcastle star Alexander Isak and his compatriot, Sporting CP’s goal machine Viktor Gyokeres. The Gunners eventually signed none, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano disclosed why the North London side withdrew from the pursuit of the Super striker.
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Source: Legit.ng