Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen is set to make his European debut for Galatasaray as the Turkish giants prepare to host Greek side PAOK Thessaloniki in a highly anticipated clash on Wednesday......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The match, one of nine fixtures across Europe that day, has drawn significant attention due to Osimhen’s recent high-profile move to Turkey.
The 25-year-old striker joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Serie A side SSC Napoli following a contentious transfer saga that saw him reportedly fall out of favour with the Italian club.
Despite the controversy surrounding his departure from the dethroned Italian champions, Osimhen has quickly endeared himself to Galatasaray fans with his performances in domestic competitions.
Since his arrival, Osimhen has made an immediate impact, providing two assists in as many matches for his new club.
His most recent contribution came as a spectacular chest assist during the heated Istanbul derby against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce over the weekend, further cementing his growing popularity among the Galatasaray faithful.
However, the Nigerian international and former Lille man is still searching for his first goal for the club.
Osimhen came close to opening his account on his debut against Rizespor, where his compatriot Olawoyin Ibrahim plays, but his effort was awarded to a teammate in what was otherwise a comprehensive victory for Galatasaray.
The upcoming match against PAOK Thessaloniki carries an interesting subplot for Nigerian football fans, as the Greek club is the former team of Osimhen’s national team colleague, William Troost-Ekong.
While Troost-Ekong has since moved on to the evolving Saudi Pro League, the connection adds an extra layer of intrigue to the fixture.
Galatasaray fans are excited ahead of the game, with one fan poking fun at their visitors following a training picture of the Nigerian and his star-studded teammates in training.
“When the rivals see this, their hands and feet are shaking,” the visibly elated fan stated.
Victor has already shown his quality in the league and the fans are excited to see what he can do on the European stage. His experience with Napoli could be invaluable to the Lions.
For Osimhen, this match represents more than just a European debut for his new club; it’s an opportunity to reinforce his status as one of Africa’s premier strikers and to continue winning over the Galatasaray supporters.
As kick-off approaches, the anticipation in Istanbul continues to build, with fans eager to see their new Nigerian star shine on the European stage.