Galatasaray star hails Osimhen’s game-changing arrival and future brilliance at Galatasaray

Published on by Godfred Budu

Galatasaray forward Dries Mertens praised Victor Osimhen in the wake of Galatasaray's 3-1 victory over rivals Fenerbahçe at the Ulker Stadyumu Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi on Saturday. 

Although the Nigeria international did not find the back of the net, he made a significant contribution by providing the assist for Mertens to score Galatasaray's second goal of the night. Osimhen expertly controlled the ball with his chest inside the box, setting up Dries Mertens for a simple finish past Livakovic.

The Belgian international expressed his admiration for the 25-year-old, stressing the significant impact of his arrival at the club and his potential to further elevate the team's performance. With their victory over Istanbul rivals, Galatasaray extended their flawless record to six wins from six, matching their best-ever start to a Turkish Super Lig season—originally achieved in the 2009-2010 campaign under the legendary Dutch manager Frank Rijkaard.

Victor Osimhen- Photo by IMAGO
Photo by IMAGO

Osimhen ended a tense summer in which he was as close to joining his dream club, Chelsea, as he was to bagging a lucrative transfer to the Saudi Pro League with a loan move to Galatasaray.

Mertens backs Osimhen to shine brighter after derby triumph

After Galatasaray's victory in the intercontinental derby, Mertens, speaking to the club's official website, took a moment to praise his teammate, Osimhen, for his contribution to the win.

Speaking highly of the towering forward, Mertens said, “Frankly, I am very happy that he came here. He is an incredible player, I know he can do even better, we will see that in the future. However, it is a great advantage for him to join us. He did not have a good preparation period, but he is a very important player for us and I think he will go to better places.”

Osimhen and Mertens share a strong on-field chemistry, having played together at Napoli for two years before the Belgian's move to Galatasaray in August 2022.

Victor Osimhen- Photo by IMAGO
Photo by IMAGO

In their 36 appearances together, the Nigerian and Belgian duo have combined for three goal contributions—Mertens assisting one of Osimhen’s goals, while Osimhen set up two goals for the tricky forward.

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Godfred Budu

Godfred Budu, a Ghanaian sports journalist, brings a dynamic perspective to the field with over a decade of experience. Having contributed to esteemed platforms such as Kickgh.com and Inkandkicks.com. Godfred is recognised for his insightful commentary and in-depth analysis of African football.
His passion for storytelling and commitment to accuracy have established him as a trusted authority in sports journalism in Ghana, captivating audiences with his engaging narratives and unparalleled expertise.
Godfred holds a degree in Integrated Development Studies (Social and Development Administration option) from the University for Development Studies, Ghana.