Nigerian Super Eagles Striker Victor Osimhen has officially joined SSC Napoli in Italy. He joins the Italian outfit from French club Lille. Osimhen had an impressive season at Lille as he contributed with 18 goals and 6 assists in 38 appearances.
Osimhen attracted interest from the English Premier League’s top clubs. Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Arsenal were all linked with a move for the 21-year-old. However, Napoli emerged as victors as they have secured the services of the sought-after striker.
It has been reported that Osimhen cost Napoli a club record fee worth £45 million. The transfer fee makes Osimhen the most expensive Nigerian player and the seventh most expensive African signing in the history of the game of football.
Osimhen caught the eye of the football world during the 2015 u-17 World Cup in Chile. The lanky 16-year-old at that time scored 10 goals which included 3 hat-tricks as he was awarded the golden boot at the tournament.
His exploits did not go unnoticed as he was snapped up by German Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg. In search of first-team football, he had a loan spell with Belgian side Sporting Charleroi. He scored 19 goals in 34 appearances and earned himself a permanent deal with the club.
After the departure of Nicolas Pepe to Arsenal, Lille turned their attention to Osimhen to replace Pepe at the club. Lille acquired his services for £13 million. His performances with Lille earned him the award of the Lille Player of the season as well as the Marc-Vivien Foe award which recognizes the best African player in France.
The 2019 African Cup of Nations bronze medallist has also had impressive performances in the green and white of Nigeria. He has registered 4 goals in 5 competitive games. Osimhen’s partnership with childhood friend Samuel Chukwueze has blossomed on the pitch for the Super Eagles.
Napoli has signed a natural goal scorer who can contribute with the creation of chances and defending during set-pieces. Osimhen is the perfect example of a player who has grown from grass to grace. His humble background might have deterred his success but the player has been able to overcome all obstacles that come his way.
He lost his mother at the age of 3 and lost his father in June 2020. Osimhen has now become an orphan along with his sisters. In the words of Osimhen, if you knew where he was coming from, you will not pray for him to fail.