Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has had a lot of success lately, with his career on an upward trajectory. But it wasn't always so.
The striker had a tough time when he moved to Germany to join Wolfsburg. A combination of injuries and lack of playing time stunted the growth of one of Africa's brightest talents.
Before that, Osimhen cemented himself as a Nigerian legend after helping the country lift the FIFA U17 World Cup title and emerging as the top-scorer at the tournament with 10 goals.
There was a lot of competition for his signature by a host of European clubs from France, England, Germany, Spain, and Portugal.
The transfer rumor mill went into overdrive with speculation about where the then 16-year-old was going to begin his European adventure.
Osimhen and his team eventually settled for Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, whom they believed at the time was perfect for his development.
Germany did not launch Victor Osimhen's career.
At Wolfsburg, Victor Osimhen started well but then got injured. When he was fit again, he wasn't used as much as he liked, and it meant he had to find a new home.
In total, the Super Eagles forward made just 14 appearances in the Bundesliga, and there were fears he wouldn't make it as a top-flight footballer.
But Victor has always been a fighter.
A loan move to Belgian side Charleroi soon materialized in the 2018/19 season, and a new Osimhen was born.
Victor Osimhen credits Charleroi for his success
The Super Eagles striker acknowledged the role the Belgian club played in his career, saying they shaped him into the player he is today.
The 25-year-old told Tutto Napoli that the turning point in his career was when he moved to Belgium after a troubled time at German side Wolfsburg.
“Yes, I remember the key moment is when I signed for Charleroi in Belgium,” Osimhen stated.
“I highlight this transfer because before, when I moved to Wolfsburg, I really wanted to start playing obviously, but I also wanted to learn because I moved as a young striker and I needed time to transform into the player and man I wanted to become.
“At that time, I was able to play with great players like Draxler, Schurrle, Guilavogui, Mario Gomez also came. For me, it was an opportunity to learn a thing or two from some of the greatest strikers of that period, and so for me, it was really a turning point for my career, even if things didn't go so well.
“I then moved to Belgium to try and get more playing time but was rejected by two clubs there, before Charleroi finally offered me a contract. That was truly a key moment, the moment that made me the Victor Osimhen you see now. Those people gave me the opportunity to write my story, to launch my career from the bottom. That was the moment I realized I would make it big in football.
His time at Charleroi proved successful as he scored 20 goals in all competitions, which earned him a move to Ligue 1 with Lille in the summer of 2019.
At Les Douges, Osimhen gradually began to establish himself as one of Europe's hottest young strikers.
After 38 games at Lille, he had already registered 18 goals and provided six assists.
These statistics attracted the attention of many European clubs, and after an intense transfer battle, Italian side Napoli won the race for his signature.
Victor Osimhen thrives in Italy
Victor Osimhen has thrived in Italy, proving his mettle. Last season, he helped Napoli win the Scudetto for the first time in three decades and was the top scorer in the Serie A with 26 goals.
Even though Napoli failed to retain their title, Osimhen has done relatively well, scoring 13 times in 21 games so far this season.
Most importantly, he was crowned the African Footballer of the Year at the CAF Awards last year, capping his remarkable journey as a professional footballer. It's a journey that did not start well in Germany but was nurtured in Belgium and is now shining in Italy.
Victor Osimhen will be looking for more glory for club and country as he leads Nigeria's charge for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a competition he has never played in. Surely, that will be a big motivation for him.
