Victor Osimhen has officially signed with Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Napoli, the two clubs confirmed on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old Nigerian striker will earn a net salary of €6 million ($6.65 million) during the 2024-2025 season, with the loan agreement lasting until the end of June 2025.
Osimhen, who extended his contract with Napoli last December until 2026, was linked with high-profile moves during the recent transfer window, including potential deals with Saudi club Al-Ahli and Premier League giants Chelsea. Despite this interest, no permanent transfer materialized, leading to his temporary switch to the Turkish side.
Napoli retains an option to extend Osimhen’s contract until 2027, ensuring the Italian club still has control over his future. Notably, there is no purchase option included in the Galatasaray loan deal, but Osimhen could leave in January if another club triggers his release clause, which has reportedly been reduced to €75 million.
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The striker, who will don the No. 45 jersey for Galatasaray, is expected to make his debut after the international break on September 14 when the club faces Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig. Galatasaray, seizing the opportunity of Turkey’s transfer window remaining open until September 13, arranged the deal after the summer deadline had passed across Europe’s major leagues.
Osimhen had a stellar run with Napoli, winning the Serie A golden boot in the 2022/23 season as Napoli secured their first Scudetto in 33 years. Despite an injury-hit campaign last season, where he scored 15 league goals, his future at Napoli became uncertain following the arrival of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.
With Mauro Icardi sidelined by injury, Galatasaray made an opportunistic move for Osimhen, aiming to bolster their attack for the upcoming season. The 2023 African Footballer of the Year has an impressive record, scoring 76 goals in 133 appearances for Napoli since joining from Lille in 2020 for £65 million.
