Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, recently revealed the names of three footballers who inspired his decision to join Turkish club Galatasaray. The 25-year-old Nigerian forward joined the team on loan from Napoli during the summer transfer window, despite interest from big clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.

In an interview on Galatasaray’s YouTube channel, Osimhen shared that Didier Drogba, Peter Etebo, and Henry Onyekuru were major influences on his decision. All three players had previously played for Galatasaray, leaving behind strong legacies that Osimhen admired.

Didier Drogba’s Influence Didier Drogba, a Chelsea legend and one of the greatest African players, spent a significant part of his career at Galatasaray. His successful time at the Turkish club, where he won trophies and was beloved by the fans, left a lasting impression on Osimhen. He viewed Drogba’s journey as a source of inspiration, and this was a key factor in his decision to follow in Drogba’s footsteps.

Fellow Nigerians Etebo and Onyekuru Peter Etebo and Henry Onyekuru, two Nigerian players who also played for Galatasaray, added a personal touch to Osimhen’s choice. Both players had shared their positive experiences with the club, which motivated him to consider joining. Their success stories encouraged him to believe that he, too, could excel at Galatasaray.

Strong Start at Galatasaray Since joining Galatasaray, Osimhen has made a strong impact. He has already scored two goals and provided three assists, showing that his time in Turkey could be as successful as those of the players he looks up to. With the backing of legendary players like Drogba and the advice of his fellow Nigerians, Osimhen is set to make the most of his time at the club.

In football, the experiences and advice of past players can play a big role in shaping career decisions. For Victor Osimhen, the paths taken by Drogba, Etebo, and Onyekuru were the driving forces behind his decision to make the move to Galatasaray, and he’s already making his mark.

Osimhen said:

“To be honest, there were a lot of players I idolized and followed since I was little.

“Drogba is one of them. Onyekuru and Etebo played here [Galatasaray] before, I knew the atmosphere was good, I saw it.

“I actually looked online but what I saw in reality was much more magnificent, what I saw here was great.”