Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has chosen the number 45 shirt at Galatasaray following the completion of his loan move.
Despite extending his deal with the Neapolitans last December, the reigning African Footballer of the Year has finally completed his move away from the former Serie A champions, but not without controversy.
The 25-year-old missed out on his anticipated move to either Chelsea or Al-Ahli, the two clubs that were in the race for his signature on transfer deadline day.
The transfer collapse led to a strained relationship between the player and the club, resulting in his expulsion from the first team.
The former Lille striker was also stripped of his iconic number 9 shirt, which was handed to new summer signing Romelu Lukaku.
The unfortunate circumstances surrounding Osimhen’s transfer led to his season-long loan move to Galatasaray in Turkey, where he will ply his trade for a season, unless Napoli receives a good offer for him in January.
In a latest development, it has emerged that the Super Eagles striker opted for the number 45 shirt because he believes the number is his lucky charm, as disclosed by Nigerian journalist Buchi Laba.
The African Footballer of the Year used this same jersey number while on loan at Belgian club Royal Charleroi from Wolfsburg.
Osimhen had a successful spell at Charleroi, scoring 20 goals in 36 appearances, earning him a permanent move to Lille in the French Ligue 1, before eventually ending up in Napoli after a successful first season.
Excl: Victor Osimhen will be wearing number 45 at Galatasaray
— Buchi Laba (@Buchi_Laba) September 4, 2024
- He personally requested for that jersey number cos that was his good-luck number that he wore back at Belgian club Charleroi
The good-luck will follow him in Gala. THE KING IS HERE 👑 🇳🇬. Signing|Official soon ⏳⌛️ pic.twitter.com/ZhdxNlEgVq
