Even from the sidelines, Victor Osimhen’s vision for football extends far beyond the pitch. The Super Eagles striker has reportedly unveiled plans to take over Istanbulspor, aiming to create a direct pipeline between Nigeria and Turkish football.
The 27-year-old shared the ambitious plan during a livestream with Nigerian entertainer Carter Efe, revealing that his goal is not simply to own a club. Osimhen wants to establish a system where young Nigerian players are scouted at grassroots level, nurtured locally, and then given the chance to step into European football through Istanbulspor.
According to the striker, the project would include acquiring a second-division Turkish club while simultaneously establishing a Nigerian branch that competes in the Nigeria Premier Football League. This approach, he explained, would allow talented players to gain exposure at home before making the move abroad.
The idea mirrors Osimhen’s own journey. Growing up in Lagos, he understands the challenges young players face in finding opportunities. “I want to make that path easier for the next generation,” he said, describing a structured system that connects local talent directly to professional football in Europe.
The announcement comes at a time when Osimhen is sidelined with injury. He is currently recovering in Nigeria after suffering a broken right forearm during Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool at Anfield. The injury occurred early in the match, but Osimhen played through the first half, displaying the same grit that has defined his career. After treatment, he returned home to focus on recovery — and on his vision off the pitch.
Beyond real estate, where he has previously invested, Osimhen is now turning his attention to football itself — the sport that transformed his life.
Why this move matters
Few Nigerian footballers have ventured into full club ownership. While many maintain connections to the game after retirement, most do not take on the risks of owning a team outright.
Eniola Aluko, for instance, co-owns an Italian women’s club, breaking new ground for black female investors in football. Ahmed Musa has chosen a different route, investing in a sports academy in Kaduna to nurture young talent. Former striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has built a football business around player management and training facilities abroad, while Victor Anichebe has been linked to potential club ownership in England.
Even established figures like Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha have avoided outright club ownership, citing financial risks and structural challenges in African football. Osimhen’s bold step, therefore, stands out as one of the first moves by an active Nigerian player to merge investment with talent development.
If successful, his plan could redefine how Nigerian players transition from local leagues to Europe — and set a precedent for others to follow.
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