Victor Osimhen Discusses Turning Point Early in His Career After Setbacks

Victor Osimhen Discusses Turning Point Early in His Career After Setbacks

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 23, 2024 at 5:39 PM
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  • Victor Osimhen struggled to get playing time at Wolfsburg in Germany
  • He moved to Belgium, where he kick-started his career, which took off
  • The Nigerian says his transfer to Belgium helped him become a top striker

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Before winning Golden Boots and lifting the Serie A, Victor Osimhen had to work harder to reach his potential.

The Napoli striker recently disclosed a transfer that changed his career, which had stagnated at some point.

Victor Osimhen, Charleroi, Nigeria, Lille, Napoli, Belgium
Napoli's Victor Osimhen played for Charleroi early in his career in Europe. Photo by Virginie Lefour.
Source: Getty Images

Osimhen moved to Wolfsburg after his impressive 2015 Under-17 World Cup showing, but playing time was hard to come by at the German club.

He made just 14 Bundesliga appearances in two seasons. His future in Europe looked ominous then, but all he needed was a chance to showcase his talent.

"When I moved to Wolfsburg, I really wanted to start playing obviously, but I also wanted to learn because I moved as a young striker and I needed time to transform into the player and man I wanted to become," he said via Soccernet.

The Super Eagles star says leaving Wolfsburg to join Charleroi in Belgium changed his career.

"That was truly a key moment, the moment that made me the Victor Osimhen you see now, those people gave me the opportunity to write my story, to launch my career from the bottom. That was the moment I realized I would make it big in football."

He spent the 2018/19 season at the club and scored 20 goals in 36 appearances. Those performances earned him a move to Lille in France.

He also played one season in France before joining Napoli, where he became one of the best strikers in world football.

Osimhen matches Maradona's record

Sports Brief earlier reported on Osimhen matching Diego Maradona's record after scoring a hat-trick for Napoli against Sassuolo.

The African Footballer of the Year has now scored at least 10 Serie A goals in four straight seasons. Osimhen has scored 10, 14, 26, and 13 goals in the last four league seasons, respectively.

Osimhen joined Maradona (1984-85 to 1987-88) and Attila Sallustro (1929-30 to 1932-33) on that exclusive list.

Osimhen wants Premier League move

Sports Brief also reported that Osimhen could play in the Premier League next season, according to a transfer expert.

Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United have all been linked with an interest in the Nigerian star. French giants PSG are reportedly the favourites to sign him.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.