{"id":295229,"first_name":"Victor James","last_name":"Osimhen","short_name":"V. Osimhen","common_name":"Victor Osimhen","place_of_birth":"Lagos","gender":"male","height":185,"weight":77,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-07T16:46:13.642Z","updatedAt":"2025-03-17T12:06:58.408Z","locale":"en","age":26,"stb_id":"victor-osimhen","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Victor Osimhen","top_position":null,"introduction":"Victor James Osimhen, born on December 29, 1998, is a distinguished Nigerian professional footballer renowned for his prowess as a striker. Currently on loan to Galatasaray from the Serie A club Napoli, Osimhen is celebrated as one of the best strikers globally. His significant contributions include leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years and earning multiple individual accolades, making him a key figure in modern football.","early_life_and_career":"\n## Early Years\nVictor Osimhen was born on December 29, 1998, in Lagos State, Nigeria, as the youngest of six siblings. His family hails from Edo State, belonging to the Esan ethnic group. Growing up in the Olusosun area near Oregun/Ojota in Lagos, Osimhen developed a passion for football, idolizing Didier Drogba. His childhood environment played a crucial role in shaping his football aspirations and laid the foundation for his future career.\n\n## Youth Career\nOsimhen's football journey began at the Ultimate Strikers Academy in Lagos. His impressive performance at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he emerged as the top scorer, highlighted his potential to international scouts. This achievement was a pivotal moment, setting the stage for his transition to European football with a pre-contract agreement with VfL Wolfsburg in January 2016.","professional_career_and_highlights":"\n## Club Career\n### VfL Wolfsburg (2017–2018)\nVictor Osimhen officially joined VfL Wolfsburg in January 2017, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract. Despite struggling with injuries initially, he made his Bundesliga debut on May 13, 2017, against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Across the 2017–18 season, he played 12 matches but did not score.\n\n### Loan to Charleroi (2018–2019)\nFor the 2018–19 season, Osimhen moved to Belgian side Charleroi on loan due to limited opportunities at Wolfsburg. He thrived at Charleroi, scoring 20 goals in 36 appearances and earning a permanent move to the club at the season's end.\n\n### Lille (2019–2020)\nIn August 2019, Osimhen transferred to Ligue 1 club Lille for a reported fee of €12 million with potential bonuses. Osimhen had an outstanding season, becoming Lille's top scorer with 18 goals in 38 appearances. His performances earned him the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé award and Lille's Player of the Season accolade.\n\n### Napoli (2020–2024)\nOsimhen joined Napoli in July 2020 for a club-record fee of €70 million. Over the next seasons, he solidified himself as a top striker, winning the Serie A Best Young Player award in 2021–22 and becoming the league's top scorer in the 2022–23 season with 26 goals. His efforts helped Napoli secure their first Serie A title in 33 years.\n\n### Loan to Galatasaray (2024–2025)\nIn September 2024, amid transfer speculations, Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan. His impact was immediate, with crucial goals in both domestic and European competitions, continuing his prolific career.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Youth National Teams\nOsimhen was a standout performer at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, winning the Golden Boot with 10 goals and aiding Nigeria in securing the title. This achievement was pivotal in launching his international career.\n\n### Senior National Team\nHe made his senior debut for Nigeria in June 2017. At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Osimhen played a key role in leading Nigeria to the final. He continues to be a vital player, contributing important goals and becoming the joint-second all-time highest goalscorer for the national team.","playing_style_and_skills":"\n## Player Characteristics\nVictor Osimhen is known for his role as a centre-forward where his physical presence, pace, and aerial ability make him a formidable striker. Standing at 185 cm, his strength and ball control allow him to hold up play effectively, linking with teammates and advancing attacks. His tactical intelligence, stamina, and pressing ability contribute significantly to his team's defensive efforts as well.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nOsimhen's prolific goal-scoring is evident with high numbers in both club and international competitions. Notably, he became the top scorer in the Serie A 2022–23 season with 26 goals and has consistently been a leading scorer for Nigeria in various qualifiers.\n\n## Records\nOsimhen holds various records, including being the highest scoring African in a single Serie A season and Napoli's top scorer in a single Serie A campaign. His achievements have set new standards for African strikers in top European leagues.","notable_achievements":"\n## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- Serie A: 2022–23 with Napoli\n- FIFA U-17 World Cup: 2015 with Nigeria U17\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- African Footballer of the Year: 2023\n- Serie A Best Striker: 2022–23\n- Prix Marc-Vivien Foé: 2020\n- FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Boot: 2015\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nOsimhen's contribution to football has been recognized internationally, becoming the African Footballer of the Year in 2023 and receiving numerous accolades for his performance in Serie A.","impact_on_sport":"\n## Career Overview\nVictor Osimhen's journey from his early days in Lagos to being one of the world's top strikers showcases his impact on football. His prowess has broken barriers and set new benchmarks, especially for African players in Europe.\n\n## Off the Field\nOsimhen is also noted for his charitable efforts, drawing inspiration from other socially responsible athletes like Sadio Mané. He has expressed a desire to support disabled people across Africa, reflecting his commitment to giving back to his community.\n\n## Personal Life\nOsimhen values family, recently welcoming his first child, a daughter named Haly, in October 2022. His off-field interests and personal commitments emphasize a balanced life, focused on both career success and community upliftment.","stb_internal_id":"01930784-edf6-7581-9344-d95d6e09a3eb","overrides":null,"type_code":"attacker","position_type_code":"attacker","detailed_position_type_code":"centre-forward","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":null,"introduction_html":"

Victor James Osimhen, born on December 29, 1998, is a distinguished Nigerian professional footballer renowned for his prowess as a striker. Currently on loan to Galatasaray from the Serie A club Napoli, Osimhen is celebrated as one of the best strikers globally. His significant contributions include leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years and earning multiple individual accolades, making him a key figure in modern football.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Victor Osimhen was born on December 29, 1998, in Lagos State, Nigeria, as the youngest of six siblings. His family hails from Edo State, belonging to the Esan ethnic group. Growing up in the Olusosun area near Oregun/Ojota in Lagos, Osimhen developed a passion for football, idolizing Didier Drogba. His childhood environment played a crucial role in shaping his football aspirations and laid the foundation for his future career.

Youth Career

Osimhen's football journey began at the Ultimate Strikers Academy in Lagos. His impressive performance at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he emerged as the top scorer, highlighted his potential to international scouts. This achievement was a pivotal moment, setting the stage for his transition to European football with a pre-contract agreement with VfL Wolfsburg in January 2016.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

VfL Wolfsburg (2017–2018)

Victor Osimhen officially joined VfL Wolfsburg in January 2017, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract. Despite struggling with injuries initially, he made his Bundesliga debut on May 13, 2017, against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Across the 2017–18 season, he played 12 matches but did not score.

Loan to Charleroi (2018–2019)

For the 2018–19 season, Osimhen moved to Belgian side Charleroi on loan due to limited opportunities at Wolfsburg. He thrived at Charleroi, scoring 20 goals in 36 appearances and earning a permanent move to the club at the season's end.

Lille (2019–2020)

In August 2019, Osimhen transferred to Ligue 1 club Lille for a reported fee of €12 million with potential bonuses. Osimhen had an outstanding season, becoming Lille's top scorer with 18 goals in 38 appearances. His performances earned him the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé award and Lille's Player of the Season accolade.

Napoli (2020–2024)

Osimhen joined Napoli in July 2020 for a club-record fee of €70 million. Over the next seasons, he solidified himself as a top striker, winning the Serie A Best Young Player award in 2021–22 and becoming the league's top scorer in the 2022–23 season with 26 goals. His efforts helped Napoli secure their first Serie A title in 33 years.

Loan to Galatasaray (2024–2025)

In September 2024, amid transfer speculations, Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan. His impact was immediate, with crucial goals in both domestic and European competitions, continuing his prolific career.

National Team Career

Youth National Teams

Osimhen was a standout performer at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, winning the Golden Boot with 10 goals and aiding Nigeria in securing the title. This achievement was pivotal in launching his international career.

Senior National Team

He made his senior debut for Nigeria in June 2017. At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Osimhen played a key role in leading Nigeria to the final. He continues to be a vital player, contributing important goals and becoming the joint-second all-time highest goalscorer for the national team.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Victor Osimhen is known for his role as a centre-forward where his physical presence, pace, and aerial ability make him a formidable striker. Standing at 185 cm, his strength and ball control allow him to hold up play effectively, linking with teammates and advancing attacks. His tactical intelligence, stamina, and pressing ability contribute significantly to his team's defensive efforts as well.

Performance Statistics

Osimhen's prolific goal-scoring is evident with high numbers in both club and international competitions. Notably, he became the top scorer in the Serie A 2022–23 season with 26 goals and has consistently been a leading scorer for Nigeria in various qualifiers.

Records

Osimhen holds various records, including being the highest scoring African in a single Serie A season and Napoli's top scorer in a single Serie A campaign. His achievements have set new standards for African strikers in top European leagues.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

Serie A: 2022–23 with Napoli
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 2015 with Nigeria U17

Individual Achievements

African Footballer of the Year: 2023
Serie A Best Striker: 2022–23
Prix Marc-Vivien Foé: 2020
FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Boot: 2015

Awards and Recognition

Osimhen's contribution to football has been recognized internationally, becoming the African Footballer of the Year in 2023 and receiving numerous accolades for his performance in Serie A.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Victor Osimhen's journey from his early days in Lagos to being one of the world's top strikers showcases his impact on football. His prowess has broken barriers and set new benchmarks, especially for African players in Europe.

Off the Field

Osimhen is also noted for his charitable efforts, drawing inspiration from other socially responsible athletes like Sadio Mané. He has expressed a desire to support disabled people across Africa, reflecting his commitment to giving back to his community.

Personal Life

Osimhen values family, recently welcoming his first child, a daughter named Haly, in October 2022. His off-field interests and personal commitments emphasize a balanced life, focused on both career success and community upliftment.

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Victor Osimhen: Profile