“Not a smart move” – Victor Osimhen on why he joined Galatasaray

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has revealed the major reason he signed for Galatasaray amidst interest from other top clubs, Afrik Foot reports.

The 27-year-old fell out with the Napoli board in his attempt to force a move away from the Italian side.

Ultimately, he joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan, and the fans at RAMS Park won his heart over.

The following season, he sealed a 75 million-euro move to Galatasaray, a record high for the club and the Turkish Super Lig.

Osimhen reveals why he joined Galatasaray

The 2023 CAF Player of the Year revealed the fan culture he experienced in Naples was only toppled by that of the Galatasaray fans who waited hours for him at the airport after his transfer was confirmed.

For him, none of the other clubs that were interested in his services could give him that energy to feed off.

“When I left Napoli, do you know how many people told me, ‘Do not go to Turkey. Are you crazy?’ A former agent even told me, ‘No, no, no. Don’t go there. It’s not a smart move.’ But I think with my heart. I wanted to play for Galatasaray,” Osimhen said in quotes revealed by Goal.

“I wanted to go to a top three club in the world in terms of passion. Those are the kind of people who really understand me.

“When I spoke to Okan Buruk on the phone, before I signed, he told me, ‘I’m here to tell you that I personally, as a person and as a coach and as a father, I want you in my club.’

“When the flight landed, there were 3,000 Gala fans waiting for me in the middle of the night. That feeling is worth more than money,” the ex-LOSC Lille striker concluded.

Osimhen has repaid Galatasaray’s faith in him, scoring 56 goals and setting up another 12 in 69 goals across all competitions.