Napoli President cautions fans about Victor Osimhen

The Nigeria international striker scored on his first-ever game in the colours of the Parthenopeans, but the club owner has urged fans to be patient

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is confident that Victor Osimhen will be a hit in Italy. Still, he has prayed fans to give the former Lille lad time to settle down to his new environment.

Osimhen completed an €80 million switch to Napoli in July, a club-record fee, which also saw he become one of the most expensive African players in history.

The 21-year-old has scored 38 goals in the last two seasons for Royal Charleroi and Lille, and he hit the ground running, scoring in his first pre-season game for the Stadio San Paolo outfit on Monday.

De Laurentiis has, however, moved to temper supporters’ expectations on the Nigerian, reminding them that the young striker has been inactive since Ligue 1 was brought to an abrupt end over five months ago.

“The fans ought to be patient with him because Osimhen hasn’t played in seven months and still needs to get to know Italian football,” De Laurentiis told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“I urge the fans to give him time and space, so he can help the team. Rino Gattuso won’t give anyone an easy time.”

Osimhen played only one season at Lille, netting 18 goals across all competitions and scooping the club’s Player of the Season award for his efforts.