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‘I didn’t get to see my father before he died’ - Osimhen reveals Lille pressured him to sign for Napoli

Osimhen reveals Lille pressured him to sign for Napoli
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has revealed he felt "angry" and pressured by his former club Lille and his agent to join Napoli in 2020.
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The Super Eagles striker made a big-money move to Napoli worth €70 million just days after his father passed away.

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Following his move, he went on to become one of their best players, leading them to their first Serie A title in 33 years.

The forward scored 76 goals for Napoli in 133 appearances and also scored 26 goals in their title-winning season before moving to Galatasaray.

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Osimhen’s statement on Napoli move

Speaking to prosecutors, Osimhen detailed the immense strain he was under as his former representatives pushed for the transfer while his father's health was in critical decline.

Victor Osimhen in action for Galatasaray || Image credit: IMago
Victor Osimhen in action for Galatasaray || Image credit: IMago

"The agent I had before told me that Napoli had a serious interest, but he was only interested in my transfer, whereas my mind at the time was entirely on my father’s health," Osimhen stated, according to reports from Football-Italia.

Osimhen shared the deeply personal turmoil surrounding the transfer, explaining how the timing left him feeling manipulated during a period of profound grief.

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"Following my father’s death, I was very angry with both Lille and my agent because I didn’t get to see him before he died," he said. 

Victor Osimhen celebrates scoring for Napoli (Credit: Imago)

"They had even told me I had to leave the day after for Naples, without even giving me time to deal with the death of my father."

Despite the difficult circumstances of his arrival, Osimhen went on to become a club legend at Napoli.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWkyRTyt3nU
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