Galatasaray has officially completed the signing of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli in a landmark deal worth €75 million, marking the most expensive transfer in the club’s history and one of the most significant moves in Turkish football to date.
The transfer, confirmed on Thursday through Turkey’s Public Disclosure Platform (KAP), comes after a highly successful loan spell that saw Osimhen take the Süper Lig by storm. The 26-year-old scored 26 goals in just 30 league matches and netted 32 in 39 appearances across all competitions. His dominant performances played a pivotal role in securing Galatasaray’s 25th league title and a return to the UEFA Champions League.
Galatasaray’s statement revealed that the club would pay Napoli a €75 million transfer fee for the player. In addition, Napoli will receive 10 percent of any future profit from Osimhen’s next transfer. The Nigerian international has signed a four-year contract with the Istanbul club, which will take effect starting from the 2025–26 season.
Under the terms of the agreement, Osimhen will earn a net salary of €15 million per season. He will also receive a €1 million annual loyalty bonus and €5 million per year in image rights payments, placing him among the highest-paid players in Turkish football history.
Osimhen was conspicuously absent as Napoli, newly crowned Serie A champions, resumed training earlier this week. With the fine details of the deal finalized, it appeared that coach Antonio Conte did not intend to include the 26-year-old in his plans for next season’s Scudetto defense. Negotiations with Galatasaray had dragged on for weeks, stalling over payment terms until Thursday, when a breakthrough was reached. Meanwhile, Napoli had recently acquired Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City, a Premier League club.
During a live broadcast on A Spor, Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk expressed his excitement upon hearing the news. He noted that the entire country had been eagerly awaiting the deal and highlighted its significance, not only for the club but for Turkish football as a whole. Buruk pointed out that Osimhen had turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia to remain in Istanbul, calling this decision a major commitment. He also remarked that, in a market where players of lesser quality are being sold for similar or even higher fees, the club had successfully secured a world-class talent at an impressive value.
Osimhen himself was visibly moved during his first interview with the club’s official channel. He expressed immense gratitude for the affection he received from the fans and club leadership. He said he hadn’t expected such a warm welcome and noted that even while in Germany, Galatasaray supporters stood by his side. He recalled that he chose to come to Galatasaray because it made him feel genuinely happy and promised to fight for the club in every match, whether in the league, the cup, or the Champions League.
Club president Dursun Özbek spoke at length about the recent transfer, describing it as the culmination of a national conversation. He mentioned that during their travels over the past few months, fans everywhere asked whether Osimhen would be joining the club. Özbek emphasized that the player had earned this intense interest from supporters and that the club management worked diligently to make their wishes a reality. He also noted that this transfer aligns with the club’s larger ambition to make a significant impact in the Champions League this season.
Galatasaray Sportif A.Ş. Vice President Abdullah Kavukçu offered a behind-the-scenes account of how the transfer came together. He revealed that the idea first emerged in January as a “dream” shared between himself and the president. After that initial conversation, the club approached Osimhen directly and made it clear they wanted him to stay permanently. According to Kavukçu, Osimhen was surprised by their determination and ultimately gave up significant financial offers from elsewhere because of his deep affection for Galatasaray and its fans. Kavukçu said the club managed to fund the deal without selling any players and that the entire transfer fee would be paid within one year. He described Osimhen not just as a signing but as a transformative figure who will help elevate Galatasaray to a new level on the global stage.
Osimhen’s transfer signifies a new chapter for both Galatasaray and Turkish football. In an era where top players often choose to play in England, Spain, or Saudi Arabia, Osimhen’s decision to stay in Istanbul and turn down more lucrative offers highlights the project that Galatasaray has developed. As the club prepares to defend its title and make a highly anticipated return to European competition, fans will look to Osimhen not only as a prolific goal scorer, but also as a symbol of a bold new era at Rams Park.
