Victor Osimhen: Age, Club, Position, Stats and Super Eagles Career

Victor Osimhen is a 27-year-old Nigerian striker who plays for Galatasaray in Turkey and leads the line for the Super Eagles. Born in Lagos on 29 December 1998, he was the 2023 African Footballer of the Year and has 35 goals for Nigeria, two short of Rashidi Yekini’s all-time record of 37.

This Victor Osimhen profile covers his age, club, position, career stats, Super Eagles record, market value and latest injury news. We update it after every international window and every major club development.

Who is Victor Osimhen?

Victor Osimhen is Nigeria’s first-choice striker and one of the most prolific African forwards of his generation. He won the 2023 CAF African Footballer of the Year award, the first Nigerian to do so since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

He grew up in Olusosun, Lagos, and joined the Ultimate Strikers Academy before bursting onto the world stage at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. Nigeria won the tournament, and Osimhen took the Golden Boot with 10 goals plus the Silver Ball. In addition, his trademark protective mask dates from November 2021, when he fractured his eye socket and cheekbone in a clash with Milan Škriniar during Inter v Napoli. He has kept wearing it since for a sense of security.

Which club does Victor Osimhen play for?

Victor Osimhen plays for Galatasaray in the Turkish Süper Lig. Galatasaray made his loan move from Napoli permanent on 31 July 2025 for a €75 million fee, the highest in Turkish football history, on a four-year contract.

According to Galatasaray’s official announcement, Napoli also keep 10% of any future sale profit. Osimhen stayed in Istanbul through the summer 2026 window despite interest from the Premier League, as we covered in our transfer deadline day round-up. He is also in Galatasaray’s 2026/27 Champions League squad; follow the group on our Champions League table and the Nigerians in the Champions League tracker.

Is Victor Osimhen injured?

Yes. Osimhen strained his right adductor (groin) in Galatasaray’s 3-2 win over Başakşehir on 4 September 2026 and is expected back in October. He had scored 6 goals in his first 4 league games of the season before the injury.

As a result, he missed Galatasaray’s Champions League opener and was ruled out of Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Madagascar (25 September, Uyo) and Guinea-Bissau (29 September), with Taiwo Awoniyi called up in his place. Our reports on the groin injury and his absence from the October qualifiers have the details.

What position does Victor Osimhen play?

Osimhen is a centre-forward who plays as the lone striker in a front three or as one of two strikers. His game is built on explosive pace, runs in behind defences and powerful heading.

Notably, he presses aggressively from the front, which suits high-energy sides like Napoli under Luciano Spalletti and Galatasaray under Okan Buruk. For Nigeria, he usually leads the line with Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze or Moses Simon on the flanks.

How many goals has Victor Osimhen scored in his club career?

Osimhen scored 76 goals in 133 games for Napoli and 37 goals in 41 games during his record-breaking 2024/25 loan season at Galatasaray. His best league season came in 2022/23, when he scored 26 Serie A goals and won the title.

His 26 Serie A goals in 2022/23 were the most ever by an African player in a single Serie A season, according to SSC Napoli, and they helped Napoli win their first Scudetto in 33 years. Moreover, he was the Süper Lig’s top scorer in 2024/25 as Galatasaray won the league and the Turkish Cup. In 2025/26 he added a second Turkish title despite a spring injury.

How many goals has Victor Osimhen scored for Nigeria?

Victor Osimhen has scored 35 goals in 52 appearances for Nigeria, according to CAF. That makes him Nigeria’s second-highest scorer of all time, behind Rashidi Yekini on 37.

He made his senior debut on 10 June 2017 in an AFCON qualifier against South Africa. Since then, he has scored four goals in one game in the 10-0 win away to São Tomé and Príncipe in 2022, and a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Benin in October 2025 that sent Nigeria into the World Cup play-offs. Nigeria then lost the CAF play-off final to DR Congo on penalties, so they missed the 2026 World Cup.

At tournaments, Osimhen helped Nigeria reach the AFCON 2023 final, where they lost to hosts Côte d’Ivoire. At AFCON 2025 in Morocco he scored four goals, including two in the 4-0 last-16 win over Mozambique, as Nigeria took the bronze medal. The latest call-ups are on our Super Eagles squad page, and upcoming games are on Super Eagles fixtures.

What is Victor Osimhen’s market value?

Victor Osimhen’s estimated market value is around €55 million in September 2026, based on FotMob’s valuation, down from a peak of about €78.5 million in May 2024. Galatasaray paid €75 million for him in 2025.

Valuations differ between data providers, so treat any single figure as an estimate. His Galatasaray contract, confirmed by the club, pays a €15 million net salary per season plus bonuses, which makes him one of the highest-paid players in Turkish football.

What trophies has Victor Osimhen won?

Osimhen has won one Serie A title, two Süper Lig titles, one Turkish Cup and the U-17 World Cup, plus the 2023 CAF African Footballer of the Year award.

• Serie A: 2022/23 (Napoli), finishing as Capocannoniere (top scorer)
• Süper Lig: 2024/25 and 2025/26 (Galatasaray); top scorer in 2024/25
• Turkish Cup: 2024/25
• FIFA U-17 World Cup: 2015, with the Golden Boot and Silver Ball
• AFCON: runner-up 2023, third place 2025
• CAF African Footballer of the Year: 2023 (CAF)

What is the latest Victor Osimhen news?

The biggest Osimhen stories this season are his groin injury and his decision to stay at Galatasaray. Here are our recent articles about him:

• Osimhen to miss Super Eagles AFCON qualifiers, October return targeted
• Osimhen ruled out of Galatasaray’s Champions League opener
• Osimhen and Lookman miss out on the 2026 Ballon d’Or list
• Nigeria vs Madagascar prediction without Osimhen

Victor Osimhen FAQs

How old is Victor Osimhen?

Victor Osimhen is 27. He was born on 29 December 1998 in Lagos and turns 28 in December 2026.

Which club does Victor Osimhen play for?

Galatasaray, who signed him permanently from Napoli for €75 million in July 2025.

How many goals has Osimhen scored for Nigeria?

35 goals in 52 appearances (CAF, September 2026), second only to Rashidi Yekini’s 37.

Why does Victor Osimhen wear a mask?

He fractured his eye socket and cheekbone in November 2021 playing for Napoli against Inter and has worn a protective mask ever since.

When will Osimhen return from injury?

He is expected back in October 2026 after a right adductor strain suffered on 4 September; Galatasaray have not given an exact date.

Featured photo: Fédération Guinéenne Football / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.