Victor Osimhen is a top football player from Nigeria. He plays as a striker, which means he is the main person who tries to score goals for his team. Right now, he is with Galatasaray in Turkey. He joined them permanently in July 2025 for a big fee of €75 million, which is the highest ever in Turkish football. This move came after a great loan spell where he scored many goals.
Osimhen is known for his speed, strength, and ability to jump high to head the ball. He has scored over 150 goals in his career so far. For Nigeria’s national team, called the Super Eagles, he has 26 goals in 40 games. He is only 26 years old as of 2025, but he has already won big awards like the African Footballer of the Year in 2023.
His story is inspiring because he came from a poor background in Lagos, Nigeria. He worked hard to become a star. In this article, we will learn about his life, from his early days to his big successes. We will see how he faced problems like injuries but kept going. This biography shows how talent and hard work can change a life.
Victor Osimhen Early Life and Background: From Lagos Streets to Football Dreams
Victor James Osimhen was born on December 29, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria. Lagos is a big city with many people, but life there can be tough for some families. Victor was the youngest of six children. His parents were Patrick Osimhen from Edo State and Christiana Osimhen from Delta State. They lived in Olusosun, a place near a big trash dump. This area is not fancy; it’s crowded and poor.
When Victor was young, his mother died. This was a sad time for the family. His father worked hard to take care of them, but money was tight. Victor had to help by selling things like bottled water and newspapers on the streets. He also washed gutters for small money, like 30 naira a day. These jobs taught him to be strong and work hard.
Even with these challenges, Victor loved football. He played on the streets with friends. His big idol was Didier Drogba, a famous striker from Ivory Coast who played for Chelsea. Victor dreamed of being like him. He joined a local team called Ultimate Strikers Academy in Lagos. There, coaches saw his talent. He was fast and good at scoring.
His family supported him. His siblings, like his brother Andrew, helped too. Victor’s faith as a Christian also gave him hope. From these hard streets, his dream started to grow. This background made him tough and grateful for success later.
Youth Career and Breakthrough: The U-17 World Cup Phenomenon
Victor’s youth career began at Ultimate Strikers Academy. He played well and got noticed by Nigeria’s youth teams. In 2015, he joined the under-17 team for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. This was his big break.
Nigeria won the tournament. Victor was the star. He scored 10 goals in 7 games, the most by any player. He got the Golden Boot award for top scorer and the Silver Ball for second-best player. His goals helped Nigeria beat teams like Mexico in the final.
This success made him famous. Clubs from Europe wanted him. He signed a deal with VfL Wolfsburg in Germany in 2016, but joined them in 2017. He also won the CAF Youth Player of the Year in 2015.
This World Cup showed Victor’s skills: quick runs, strong shots, and smart positioning. It was the start of his pro career. Many young players from that team became stars, but Victor shone the brightest.
Early Professional Career: Struggles in Europe (Wolfsburg and Charleroi)
Victor moved to Europe at 18. He joined Wolfsburg in January 2017 on a three-and-a-half-year contract. The Bundesliga is a top league in Germany. But things were hard at first.
He played 16 games but scored no goals. Injuries hurt him, like a shoulder problem. He also had to learn a new style of football. European games are faster and more physical than in Nigeria.
In 2018, Wolfsburg loaned him to Charleroi in Belgium. This was better. He scored 20 goals in 36 games. He won the Belgian Ebony Shoe award for best African player. Charleroi bought him permanently.
These years taught Victor patience. He adapted to cold weather, new food, and being away from family. His success in Belgium showed he could play in Europe.
Rise to Prominence: Lille and Ligue 1 Stardom
In 2019, Victor moved to Lille in France for about €12 million plus bonuses. He signed for five years. Ligue 1 is a strong league.
He had a great season. He scored 18 goals in 38 games, including in the Champions League. He helped Lille finish high in the table. Fans loved him.
He won the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé award for best African in Ligue 1 and Lille’s Player of the Season. This made big clubs notice him more.
At Lille, Victor improved his finishing and teamwork. He learned from coaches how to press defenders. This time made him a star.
Napoli Era: Serie A Dominance and Scudetto Glory
In 2020, Victor joined Napoli in Italy for a record €70 million, up to €80 million with extras. This was the most for an African player. Serie A is tough.
His first season was okay, with 10 goals, but he had COVID and injuries. In 2021, he broke his face in a game against Inter Milan. He wore a mask after that.
But in 2022-23, he was amazing. He scored 26 goals in Serie A, the top scorer. Napoli won the league title after 33 years. Victor broke records as the highest-scoring African in Serie A with 47 league goals total.
He won Serie A Footballer of the Year. But later, there were problems with the club over his contract. He extended to 2026 with a €130 million release clause. In total for Napoli, he scored 76 goals.
This era showed his best form. He became a leader.
Galatasaray Chapter: Turkish Triumph and Permanent Move
In September 2024, Victor went on loan to Galatasaray. He wanted more playtime after issues at Napoli.
He was fantastic. He scored 37 goals in 41 games, including 26 in the Süper Lig. He won the league top scorer and helped win the league and Turkish Cup.
In July 2025, he signed permanently for €75 million until 2029. As of August 31, 2025, he has played 2 games in the new season and scored 1 goal, in a 4-0 win over Kayserispor. He scored again in a 3-1 win over Rizespor.
He says he wants to stay long. This chapter is about success and fitting in a new culture.
International Career: Super Eagles Spearhead
Victor started with Nigeria’s senior team in 2017 against South Africa. He has 40 caps and 26 goals, second most ever.
In 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Nigeria got bronze. In 2023, they were runners-up. He scored 10 goals in qualifiers, top scorer.
He missed some due to injuries, like 2021 AFCON. But he is key for Nigeria’s attacks.
Playing Style, Achievements, and Challenges
Victor’s style is like a modern striker. He is fast, strong, and good in the air. He runs behind defenses and finishes well. People compare him to Drogba.
Achievements: African Footballer of the Year 2023, Serie A top scorer 2022-23, Süper Lig top scorer 2024-25, U-17 World Cup Golden Boot. He was 8th in 2023 Ballon d’Or.
Challenges: Many injuries, like face fracture in 2021, shoulder in Wolfsburg. Transfer issues at Napoli led to drama. Some say he has attitude problems, but he focuses on football.
He overcomes by working hard.
Personal Life, Legacy, and Future Prospects
Victor is not married but has a daughter named Haly, born in 2022. He is a strong Christian. His net worth is about $10-15 million from salaries and deals like with Adidas.
He helps others, inspired by Sadio Mané. He gives to poor kids in Africa.
His legacy is inspiring young Africans. He shows you can rise from poverty.
Future: At Galatasaray, he could win more. Clubs like Chelsea or Al-Hilal want him, but he is happy now. He might aim for Premier League or more awards.
Conclusion
Victor Osimhen’s story is about hard work and talent. From Lagos streets to top leagues, he has won hearts. He teaches us to keep going despite problems. Follow his career; more glory awaits.
FAQs
How old is Victor Osimhen?
He is 26 years old as of August 2025.
Where is Victor Osimhen from?
He is from Lagos, Nigeria, with roots in Edo and Delta States.
What club does Victor Osimhen play for?
He plays for Galatasaray in Turkey.
What is Victor Osimhen’s net worth?
It is estimated at $10-15 million.
Is Victor Osimhen married?
No, but he has a daughter.
Why did Victor Osimhen leave Napoli?
Due to contract issues and a loan to Galatasaray, leading to a permanent move.
What are Victor Osimhen’s career highlights?
Winning Serie A with Napoli, U-17 World Cup, African Player of the Year 2023.
