Soccer
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has revealed that Victor Osimhen played an important role in convincing French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu to join the Turkish champions, Soccernet.ng reports.
Speaking during an appearance on Tivibu Spor as related by TV100, Buruk explained how Osimhen personally reached out to the 22-year-old before the transfer was completed.
The Galatasaray manager said: “Osimhen and Lesley had a phone conversation. He also FaceTimed with me twice.”
The conversations came before Galatasaray completed Ugochukwu’s arrival from English club Burnley on a season-long loan. The agreement includes a conditional obligation to buy, with the overall transfer package worth just under €30 million (£25.5 million).
The Turkish champions will initially pay a loan fee of £3 million (€3.5 million) for the 2026/27 season. The contract also includes a £22.5 million (€26.5 million) purchase clause, which automatically becomes mandatory if Ugochukwu makes 25 official appearances during the campaign.
The former Chelsea midfielder has also agreed to a net annual salary of £2.25 million (€2.65 million).
Ugochukwu arrives in Istanbul after Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League despite enjoying a busy season in England. The defensive midfielder made 35 Premier League appearances during the 2025/26 campaign, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
Although he currently represents France at Under-21 level, the midfielder remains eligible to play for Nigeria’s Super Eagles because of his family background. His arrival also means he will share a dressing room with fellow Nigerian-born star Osimhen as Galatasaray prepare to defend their Turkish Super Lig title and compete in the UEFA Champions League.
Buruk also made it clear that Galatasaray’s business in the transfer market is not yet complete.
“We will sign two players for the attacking line. Right now, we are focused on signing a number 10,” the coach said.
He added: “We want to add elite players to our squad. These transfers take time and require high costs. Mauro Icardi’s departure has freed up a spot in the foreign player quota. Our transfer efforts continue in line with the list we have determined.”
Soccer Osimhen handed leadership role as Galatasaray prepare for new season
While discussing transfer plans, Buruk also confirmed major changes to Galatasaray’s leadership group following the departures of Argentine forward Mauro Icardi.
The experienced coach announced that defender Abdülkerim Bardakcı will become the club’s main captain for the new season, while Osimhen will be one of the team’s captains.
Buruk said: “Abdülkerim Bardakcı will be the team captain in the new season. Victor Osimhen will also be one of the captains.”
Osimhen featured in 33 matches across all competitions last season, scoring 22 goals and providing eight assists as he led Galatasaray to another Super Lig title. While he continues to be linked with a summer exit, Galatasaray are convinced the former Napoli forward will stay in Istanbul beyond this summer.
Osimhen is reportedly on the radar of Barcelona, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich but Galatasaray expect no club to meet their €150 million asking price for the Nigeria international. The champions have therefore handed the 27-year-old a key leadership role and the iconic number-nine jersey vacated by Icardi.
Osimhen finished his first season in Turkey as the Super Lig top goalscorer but he was beaten to the honour last term by compatriot Paul Onuachu.
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