Victor Osimhen

Victor James Osimhen (born 29 December 1998) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie A club Napoli and the Nigeria national team.[1] Known for his composure and finishing, he is widely regarded as one of the most promising and most in-demand African footballers.[2]

Victor Osimhen
Osimhen with Lille in 2019
Personal information
Full name Victor James Osimhen
Date of birth (1998-12-29) 29 December 1998
Place of birth Lagos, Nigeria
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
 Napoli
Number 9
Youth career
Ultimate Strikers Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 Wolfsburg 12 (0)
2018–2019 → Charleroi (loan) 25 (12)
2019 Charleroi 0 (0)
2019–2020 Lille 27 (13)
2020– Napoli 7 (2)
National team‡
2015 Nigeria U17 7 (10)
2015 Nigeria U20 4 (0)
2017– Nigeria 10 (5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 4 February 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 13 November 2020

Born in Nigeria, Osimhen began his senior career in Germany at VfL Wolfsburg in 2017. Following a season and a half at the club, he moved to Belgian side Charleroi on loan in 2018–19, before moving to France at Lille. With the French side, he was nominated the club's Player of the Season. In 2020 Osimhen transferred to Serie A club Napoli for a club-record fee of €70 million.

Club career

Osimhen started his career at the Ultimate Strikers Academy, based in Lagos, Nigeria. In January 2016, after being noticed for his performances at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Osimhen committed to a pre-contract with VfL Wolfsburg, stipulating that he would officially join the club in January 2017.[3][4][5][6]

VfL Wolfsburg

On 5 January 2017, Osimhen officially signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the club, lasting until June 2020.[7][8] Out with an injury upon his arrival,[9] On 13 May, Osimhen made his Bundesliga debut for Wolfsburg, coming on as a substitute in the 59th minute in a 1–1 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach.[10] Osimhen also came on the following week in a pivotal relegation tie against Hamburger SV, on what was the final match day of the 2016–17 season. He replaced defender Sebastian Jung with the score tied 1–1, and Hamburg scored a late winner to pass Wolfsburg in the table, sending Wolfsburg to a relegation playoff with Eintracht Braunschweig. Osimhen was in the squad for both matches, receiving a cameo at the end of the second leg with Wolfsburg's participation in the next Bundesliga confirmed, as they won 2–0 on aggregate.

Osimhen was named in 12 of the 17 matchday squads in the first half of the 2017–18 season, appearing in 5 games. He earned his full Bundesliga debut on 28 January 2018 against Hannover, playing the full 90 minutes in their 1–0 win.[11] Osimhen made two more starts the rest of the campaign, playing the full match against Werder Bremen on 11 February and being replaced at the half by Daniel Didavi against Hertha Berlin on 31 March. Wolfsburg were again in the relegation playoff, but Osimhen missed out through injury. He also appeared in one game of Wolfsburg's DFB Pokal campaign, replacing midfielder Josuha Guilavogui for the last ten minutes of their 1–0 defeat to Schalke in the quarter-final. Osimhen underwent shoulder surgery on 2 May, ending his season with 12 appearances in the Bundesliga to his name.[12]

Charleroi

Osimhen had summer trials with Belgian clubs Zulte Waregem and Club Brugge, who were the reigning champions. However, a summer bout with malaria had affected his physical condition, and neither club decided to take him on loan.[13] On 22 August 2018, Osimhen joined Belgian club Charleroi on a season-long loan deal, having failed to score in any of his 16 appearances with Wolfsburg.[14] He replaced the departed Kaveh Rezaei, who was sold to Club Brugge after scoring 3 goals in the first three games of the season.[15] Osimhen made his debut on 1 September against Excel Mouscron, entering as a late substitute for Jérémy Perbet. Osimhen made his full debut on 22 September, scoring his first goal as a professional with a backheel against Waasland-Beveren.[16] Waasland-Beveren would equalise against 10-man Charleroi, and Perbet would later get sent off in the game as well, aiding manager Felice Mazzu's selection up top. Osimhen would start with Adama Niane for the next four games, scoring the club's only goal in losses to Cercle Brugge and Gent. He also scored twice in the last five minutes 3–2 win over Zulte Waregem on 21 October, after Hamdi Harbaoui had given Waregem a 2–1 lead with a second half brace.[17] Osimhen was not dropped from the side until 25 November, when he scored a goal off the bench in the club's 4–2 win over Lokeren. After the game, Osimhen told BBC Sport that he had "found his happiness again".[18] Osimhen finished the first half with 8 goals in 16 games, second only to Cristian Benavente in the team.

After a successful spell with the Belgian side, playing 36 games and scoring 20 goals, Charleroi activated their option to acquire Osimhen following his satisfactory performances while on loan.[19]

Lille

In July 2019 he signed for Lille OSC.[20][21] On 11 August 2019, Osimhen made his Ligue 1 debut for Lille OSC, scoring a brace against Nantes. The match ended 2–1 in favour of Lille.[22]

He was named the Ligue 1 'Player of the Month' for September 2019 having scored two goals and assisted two more in Lille's five league matches.[23] On June 2, 2020, Osimhen won the Player of the Season award by Lille - having secured the highest votes from fans.[24] He scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League on 2 October 2019, coming in a 1–2 defeat to English side Chelsea.[25] Due to his excellence performance he has been tipped to win the African Player of the year soon.[26] The Nigerian finished the season scoring 13 goals in 25 Ligue 1 matches, finishing the season as their top scorer.[27] He scored 18 goals across competitions for Lille in 2019–20.

Napoli

On 31 July 2020, Serie A club Napoli announced the signing of Osimhen,[28] for a club-record fee of €70 million potentially rising to €80 million with add-ons, making him the most expensive African transfer to date.[29]

On 17 October 2020, Osimhen scored his first goal for Napoli in a 4–1 win against Atalanta. Upon scoring, he held up a shirt calling for the ending of the ongoing police brutality in his home country of Nigeria.[30]

International career

Osimhen was named to the squad of the Nigeria under-17 team that won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, where Osimhen won the Golden Boot and Silver Ball awards.[31][32] His performances also earned him the CAF Youth Player of the Year award in 2015.[33] Osimhen made his senior debut for Nigeria in a 3–0 friendly win over Togo on 1 June 2017.[34]

Osimhen missed out on Nigeria's 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign after his inconsistent season at Wolfsburg.[16] Following a successful start to his loan spell at Charleroi, he was recalled by Gernot Rohr for the November 2018 international break,[35] starting their friendly win over Uganda.[18]

In March 2019, Osimhen was released from the Super Eagles squad to represent the Nigerian U23 side as they were two goals down against their Libyan opponent. He scored three goals in the return match against Libya in Asaba.[36]

Osimhen was listed in coach Gernot Rohr's 25-man provisional list for 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt[37] and was further listed in the final list for the tournament.[38][39] In the match for third place, he replaced the injured Odion Ighalo at half-time in the team's 1–0 victory over Tunisia.[40] He played a total of 45 mins at the tournament[41]

On 14 August 2019, the coach of the Nigerian National Team, Gernot Rohr, invited Osimhen for a friendly against Ukraine, that was played on 10 September 2019 in Dnipro Arena, Ukraine which ended in a 2–2 draw.[42] He was also included in the Super Eagles team to face Brazil in a friendly match in Singapore on 13 October 2019.[43]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 8 November 2020[44]
Club Season League Domestic cup1 Continental2 Other3 Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
VfL Wolfsburg 2016–17 Bundesliga2000—1030
2017–18 10010——110
Total12010—10140
Charleroi (loan) 2018–19 Pro League 251221—973620
Lille 2019–20 Ligue 1 27136352—3818
Napoli 2020–21 Serie A 620020—82
Career total 702794721079640

International
As of matches played on 13 November 2020[45]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Nigeria 201710
201810
201974
202011
Total105
Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first.
List of international goals scored by Victor Osimhen
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
110 September 2019Dnipro-Arena, Dnipro, Ukraine Ukraine
2–0
2–2
Friendly
213 November 2019Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria Benin
1–1
2–1
2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
317 November 2019Setsoto Stadium, Maseru, Lesotho Lesotho
3–1
4–2
 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
4
4–1
513 November 2020Ogbe Stadium, Benin City, Nigeria Sierra Leone2–0
4–4
2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Honours

International

Nigeria U17

Nigeria

Individual

Awards

References
  1. Victor Osimhen at WorldFootball.net
  2. "Osimhen named best African player in Ligue 1". thecable.ng. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  3. "Wolfsjokokokpkpn deal for young Nigerian Victor Osimhen". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  4. "Wolfsburg reach agreement with Victor Osimhen". Goal.com. Perform Group. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  5. "Wolfsburg snap up Nigeria's U17 World Cup star Victor Osimhen". ESPN FC. ESPN Inc. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  6. "Victor Osimhen scores on Wolfsburg debut". Goal.com. Perform Group. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  7. "Wolfsburg sign Nigerian teenage striker Victor Osimhen". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  8. "Victor Osimhen: Wolfsburg switch was right move to begin my career". ESPN FC. ESPN Inc. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  9. "Wolfsburg Coach Gives Key Update On Victor Osimhen Injury Status". Own Goal Nigeria. 24 February 2017.
  10. "Nigeria wonderkid Victor Osimhen makes Wolfsburg debut". Goal.com. Perform Group. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  11. Adewoye, Gbenga (29 January 2018). "Wolfsburg's Victor Osimhen revels in full Bundesliga debut". Goal.
  12. Lior, Tal (3 May 2018). "Nach Schulterluxation: Victor Osimhen wurde erfolgreich operiert". 90min.
  13. "LIET CLUB BRUGGE GOUDHAANTJE DOOR DE VINGERS GLIPPEN?". Voetbal België. 10 November 2018.
  14. Craig, Anthony (23 August 2018). "Nigeria's Victor Osimhen moves for first-team football". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  15. Jacques, Maxime (22 August 2018). "Charleroi tient déjà le remplaçant de Rezaei: Victor Osimhen!". La DH.
  16. Abodunrin, Morakinyo (30 September 2018). "VICTOR OSIMHEN: Struggle has been my life". The Nation.
  17. Chukwu, Solace (23 October 2018). "Osimhen's revenge: Is former youth striker finally ready for the next level?". Goal.
  18. Okeleji, Oluwashina (26 November 2018). "Osimhen says Charleroi loan has restored his confidence". BBC Sport.
  19. Sporting Charleroi sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen permanently from Wolfsburg, goal.com, 31 May 2019
  20. Okeleji, Oluwashina (1 August 2019). "Victor Osimhen: Nigeria striker excited to join Lille's project". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  21. "LE SUPER EAGLE, VICTOR OSIMHEN AU LOSC !". Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  22. "Lille vs. Nantes - 11 August 2019". Soccerway. 11 August 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  23. "Victor Osimhen: Nigerian wins French Player of the Month award". BBBC. 18 October 2019.
  24. "Victor Osimhen wins Lille's player of the year award". Sporting Life. Ejiro Babafemi. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  25. "Willian volleyed home the winning goal on his 300th appearance in a Chelsea shirt as Frank Lampard's side edged out Lille 2-1". The Guardian. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  26. "Victor Osimhen will win the African Player of the year soon – Elahor". Soccerhub. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  27. "Victor Osimhen:The Nigerian Prodigy". 4 May 2020 – via www.crossbarhub.com.
  28. "Welcome, Osimhen!". S.S.C. Napoli. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  29. "Napoli sign Nigeria forward Osimhen from Lille". ESPN. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  30. "Napoli's Osimhen celebrates maiden Serie A goal with 'End Police Brutality' shirt". goal.com. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  31. "Golden Eaglets retain their crown". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  32. "Osimhen and Nigeria the big winners". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 9 November 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  33. "Osimhen wins Youth Player of the Year". cafonline.com. Confederation of African Football. 7 January 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  34. "Internationals (Sky Sports)". SkySports.
  35. Abayomi, Tosin (15 November 2018). "5 things to know about Super Eagles returnee Victor Osimhen". Pulse.
  36. Adewoye, Gbenga (26 March 2019). "Hat-trick Victor Osimhen 'overwhelmed' with his performance against Libya". Goal. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  37. "Mikel, Osimhen make provisional AFCON squad". The Guardian Nigeria. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  38. "Africa Cup of Nations: Iheanacho left out of Nigeria squad". 9 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  39. Shittu, Ibitoye (11 June 2019). "AFCON 2019: Iwobi, Ndidi, 18 other Nigerian stars who will be making debut". Legit.ng. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  40. "Tunisia 0-1 Nigeria: Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off". BBC Sport. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  41. "Osimhen, Onyekuru battle to replace Ighalo". Vanguard News. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  42. "Rohr invites two new players for Ukraine friendly". The Guardian Nigeria News. 14 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  43. "Nigeria don reveal dia squad wey go play Brazil". 26 September 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  44. "Victor Osimhen » Club matches". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  45. Victor Osimhen at National-Football-Teams.com
  46. "Tunisia 0–1 Nigeria". BBC. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  47. "Victor Osimhen, Joueur Du Mois De Septembre!" [Victor Osimhen, Player of the Month of September!] (in French). UNFP. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  48. "Prix Marc-Vivien Foé 2020: Victor Osimhen, le sacre de la jeunesse" [Marc-Vivien Foé Prize 2020: Victor Osimhen, the coronation of youth]. RFI (in French). 29 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  49. "Et le Dogue de la saison est..." [And the Master of the season is...] (in French). Lille OSC. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.

42.^ Lille Star Victor Osimhen Is Moving To Napoli. www.Legitloded.com. Retrieved 22 July 2020.

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