3 weeks ago
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- Victor Osimhen has completed a season-long loan to Galatasaray from Italian club Napoli
- He joined the Turkish club after seeing three proposed moves away from Napoli collapse
- The striker becomes the latest Nigerian to play for Istanbul-based Super Lig champions
Victor Osimhen joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan last night after seeing proposed moves to Paris Saint-Germain, Al-Ahli, and Chelsea collapsed during the top five European leagues’ transfer window.
He joined the Turkish Super Lig champions as an escape from Napoli after he was excluded from the club's first-team squad for the 2024/25 Serie A season.
Source: Getty Images
Turkey has been home to Nigerian footballers in the past, with Osimhen becoming the sixth player to play for the club, as noted by Transfermarkt.
Nigerians who played for Galatasaray
1. Dominic Iorfa
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According to Soccernet, 21-cap ex-international Dominic Iorfa was the first Nigerian to play for the Turkish giants when he joined the club in 1991 from Queens Park Rangers. He left after eight months and nine games to join Peterborough United.
2. Henry Onyekuru
Onyekuru played for Galatasaray in three spells, all of which were on loan, first from Everton, then AS Monaco later. He scored the title-winning goal in the 2018/19 season to help the Lions beat Istanbul Basaksehir. He is currently in Saudi Arabia.
3. Valentine Ozornwafor
Ozornwafor joined the Turkish club from Enyimba in the Nigerian Professional Football League. He was with the club for three years but played one game, spending time on loan at Almeria and Royal Charleroi. He has one cap for the Super Eagles.
4. Jesse Sekidika
Sekidika is the only one on this list yet to earn an international cap. He spent two years reading Gala's books and played 19 games. He went on two loans before departing permanently to Eyupspor in 2022. He currently plays for Sabah in Azerbaijan.
5. Oghenekaro Etebo
Etebo spent the 2020/21 season on loan at the Turkish club from English side Stoke City. The 44-capped Nigerian midfielder has been troubled by injuries since then and currently plays for second-division Turkish club Gençlerbirliği.
Emenike sends message to Osimhen
Legit.ng reported that Emmanuel Emenike sent a message to Osimhen, wishing his compatriot had joined his former club Fenerbahce instead of rivals Galatasaray.
The AFCON 2013 winner used the allure of playing for Jose Mourinho, who is now in charge of Fener, to tell the Super Eagles striker what he missed out on.
Source: Legit.ng
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