Victor Osimhen has been wearing the number 45 shirt at Galatasaray since arriving from Napoli in 2025, held back from the jersey he is most associated with by the presence of Mauro Icardi, Footynaija.com reports.
Icardi’s contract at Galatasaray expired at the end of June, bringing a four-year stint to a close and freeing up the iconic number 9 shirt. Multiple reports indicate that Galatasaray have decided to hand it to Osimhen, with the Turkish giants having waited for Icardi’s departure before making the decision, showing respect for the Argentine’s contribution to the club.
The shirt change is not a standalone gesture. It forms part of a broader plan by Galatasaray to place Osimhen at the centre of their identity heading into the 2026/27 season.
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The club also intends to hand him the captain’s armband following Icardi’s departure, with officials viewing the Nigerian as the most influential figure in the dressing room. He served as one of Galatasaray’s vice-captains last season, making the step up a natural progression.
The timing of all of this is deliberate. Osimhen has attracted serious attention from Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Chelsea throughout the summer, and Galatasaray have rejected offers reportedly worth up to €125 million.
Turkish football analyst Ali Naci Küçük offered the clearest explanation of the club’s plan, noting that Galatasaray officials believe such a leadership role may not be immediately available to Osimhen at clubs like United, Arsenal or Chelsea, where established dressing-room hierarchies already exist.
The number 9 carries particular weight for Osimhen personally. He wore it throughout his time at Napoli, where he won the Serie A title and the Golden Boot, before having to give way for Icardi upon joining Galatasaray. Getting it back, in the colours of a club where he has since won back-to-back Süper Lig titles, completes a circle of sorts as he heads into what could be his best season yet in Istanbul.
