Victor Osimhen has made a unique request for the No. 45 shirt as he prepares to finalise a season-long loan move to Galatasaray from Napoli.
The Nigerian striker, who has been at the centre of transfer speculation throughout the summer, is set to complete the deal later today.
According to Nigerian journalist Onyebuchi Onokala, also known as Buchi Laba, Osimhen specifically asked for the No. 45 jersey, a number he associates with good fortune from his time at the Belgian club Charleroi.
Onokala shared the news on social media, stating, “Victor Osimhen will be wearing number 45 at Galatasaray. He personally requested that jersey number because it was his good-luck number at Charleroi.”
At Napoli, Osimhen donned the No. 9 shirt, a number he also wore at his previous club Lille, and currently wears for the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles.
His performances over the past three seasons have made him one of Europe’s most coveted strikers, attracting interest from major clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Liverpool.
Although Chelsea was reportedly Osimhen’s preferred destination, and Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli made a lucrative offer on the last day of the transfer window, the 25-year-old ultimately chose to move to Turkey.
He arrived in Istanbul on Monday night, greeted by thousands of enthusiastic Galatasaray fans eager to see him in action.
Osimhen’s loan to Galatasaray includes a break clause in January, allowing for a potential move to a top European club if interest arises.
Despite the transfer drama, he is expected to focus on replicating the form that helped Napoli clinch the Serie A title in the 2022/23 season.
Meanwhile, Osimhen has reportedly parted ways with his agent, Roberto Calenda, due to dissatisfaction with how his transfer situation was handled.
According to reports from Il Mattino, Osimhen negotiated his move to Galatasaray without an agent’s assistance, enlisting the help of Turkish intermediary George Gardi to finalise the deal.
The loan agreement is set to run until the end of the season, with the possibility of Osimhen returning to the transfer market in January if the right opportunity arises.
