AFCON 2025
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has explained why he will not wear Galatasaray’s number nine shirt, opting instead to continue with his familiar number 45 jersey ahead of the new season.
Osimhen, who completed a permanent move to the Turkish champions last summer, has established himself as a key member following a series of outstanding performances for the Yellow-Reds.
Osimhen’s impressive displays strongly linked him with inheriting the iconic number nine shirt vacated by Mauro Icardi, who spent four seasons at Galatasaray, scoring 77 goals and 25 assists in 134 appearances — the club’s highest-scoring foreign player ever, surpassing Gheorghe Hagi’s record. Icardi won six trophies during his spell: four Super Lig titles, the Türkiye Cup, and the Türkiye Super Cup.
However, despite the speculation, Osimhen has retained his number 45 jersey throughout Galatasaray’s preseason preparations.
Explaining his decision, Osimhen said he preferred to continue wearing the number that had brought him success at Rams Park.
“I expect you’ll sell more shirts, but I think you’ll understand me. Number 45 brought me good luck at Galatasaray,” Osimhen said via Sabah.
“I want to continue with the same number,” and refused to take the number 9.”
Osimhen has established himself as a fan favourite since completing his permanent move from Napoli last summer after a successful loan spell.
The Nigerian international, however, recently opened his preseason goal account in Galatasaray’s 3-3 draw against Rennes in Istanbul.
Osimhen will now be hoping to build on that performance and maintain his outstanding form as the Turkish champions prepare for the new campaign.
