Nigerian international and Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen received a hero’s welcome in Istanbul on Wednesday night as he arrived to complete his highly anticipated return to Turkish giants Galatasaray.
The 26-year-old forward is set to finalize a sensational €75 million move from Italian side Napoli, marking the most expensive transfer in Turkish football history. Thousands of jubilant Galatasaray fans gathered at Istanbul Airport, chanting and waving club scarves and banners as Osimhen made his way through the arrivals hall. Some supporters had tracked his flight online for hours, eager to greet the returning talisman.
Osimhen’s arrival was confirmed earlier in the day by respected transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who reported that the Nigerian striker will undergo a medical on Thursday — the final step before the official unveiling.
Galatasaray and Napoli reached an agreement that will see the Turkish champions pay €40 million upfront, with a further €35 million to be paid next year. The deal includes a 10 percent sell-on clause for Napoli and a unique stipulation preventing Osimhen from joining another Serie A club for the next two years.
This transfer not only smashes Galatasaray’s previous record signing but also underlines the club’s growing financial strength and ambition on both the domestic and continental fronts.
Osimhen’s return has sent shockwaves of excitement through Turkish football. Fans still fondly recall his electrifying loan spell at Galatasaray, during which he scored 37 goals and contributed seven assists across all competitions last season. He led the team to a domestic double — winning both the Super Lig and the Turkish Cup — and swept individual honors including the Golden Boot, Player of the Season, and Goal of the Season.
In the Turkish Cup final, Osimhen was instrumental, netting twice in a dramatic win over Trabzonspor. His goalscoring prowess also helped Galatasaray clinch a third consecutive league title, solidifying his status as a modern-day icon at the club.
Sources close to the club confirm that Osimhen has already signed the necessary documents and agreed personal terms, with his official unveiling expected shortly after the medical. The move signals Galatasaray’s intent to dominate domestically once again and make a deeper impact in European competitions this season.
Victor Osimhen’s return has not only boosted the club’s ambitions but also reignited the passion of Galatasaray supporters, who are eager to see their beloved striker back in action wearing the iconic yellow and red shirt.
