Victor Osimhen: Reason Super Eagles Star Chose Number 45 at Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen: Reason Super Eagles Star Chose Number 45 at Galatasaray

  • Victor Osimhen has completed a season-long loan move to Turkish champions Galatasaray
  • The Super Eagles forward will wear the number 45 jersey, which she specifically requested
  • A reason has emerged as to why he chose it with Gala's number nine taken by Mauro Icardi

Victor Osimhen has chosen the number 45 jersey at Galatasaray after completing a season-long loan move to the Turkish champions from Italian club Napoli.

Osimhen missed out on leaving Estadio Diego Armando Maradona Stadium before the top five European leagues' deadline day on August 30, 2024.

Victor Osimhen during his time at Belgian club Royal Charleroi.
Victor Osimhen wore the jersey number 45 at Royal Charleroi. Photo by Vincent Van Doornick.
Source: Getty Images

He was in negotiations with Chelsea until a few minutes before the deadline, but the two parties could not come to an agreement as they were far apart in salary demands and offers.

According to Tutto Napoli, the Nigerian has picked up jersey number 45 in Turkey, as against widespread speculation he will wear number 99, which is allowed in the Super Lig.

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Why Osimhen chose number 45

According to Nigerian journalist Buchi Laba, Osimhen specifically requested for the number 45 jersey because it was the same one he donned at Royal Charleroi, which he believes is his lucky charm.

Osimhen’s success story in Europe began at the Belgian club after initially struggling in his first adventure at VfL Wolfsburg. He scored 20 goals in 36 games, which earned him a move to Lille.

He spent one season at the French Ligue 1 club, scoring 13 league goals before the coronavirus forced a cancellation of the season. His haul of 13 goals that season was second only to Neymar’s 18 at Paris Saint-Germain.

He secured a blockbuster move to Napoli after the Neapolitans paid Lille a whopping €81 million. He finally arrived big in Europe and helped the Italians win the title in 2023.

Read also

Report: Galatasaray to assign Victor Osimhen a special jersey number

Galatasaray troll Chelsea

Legit.ng reported on Galatasaray aiming a dig at Chelsea after the Turkish champions secured the signature of Victor Osimhen on loan until the end of the season.

Chelsea was one of the clubs that pursued the Super Eagles striker in the summer transfer window but could not match the players' salary demands.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Elijah Odetokun avatar

Elijah Odetokun (Sports Editor) Elijah Odetokun is a Nigerian sports editor at Legit NG. He has four years of working experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria (August 2020 - September 2020), OmaSports (December 2020 - June 2021), El Futbolero (July 2021; September 2021- November 2021), and Sports Brief (November 2022 - July 2024). He is a press conference and interview specialist and has attended trainings held by Reuters, AIPS, and FIJ. He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture (2021) from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Reach me via elijah.odetokun@sportsbrief.com