Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen was treated to a hero’s welcome by thousands of Galatasaray supporters in Istanbul on Tuesday morning.

Osimhen is close to completing his loan move to the Turkish giants from Napoli.

Ahead of the loan move, Osimhen was seen in videos on social media taking pictures with some of the hundreds of Galatasaray fans who kept vigil to welcome him at the airport in Istanbul.

On arrival, Galatasaray fans had set up a carnival-like reception for Osimhen whose name was being chanted and many calling him ‘king’.

Football Italia reported that Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray was done in a matter of hours after the transfer window in most European markets closed.

Napoli’s new coach Antonio Conte had disclosed that Osimhen, the reigning CAF Player of the Year, was not in his plans for the new campaign after signing Romelu Lukaku.

Osimhen was allowed to exit on loan for one season for free, as long as the Turkish champions covered the €10m salary. However, according to Fanatik’s report, Galatasaray will pay €8.8m in wages.

Also, reports said Napoli agreed to reduce the release clause from €130m to €80m by June 2025.

READ ALSO: Napoli reach Osimhen loan deal with Galatasaray

As his current contract runs to June 2026, there will also be an automatic extension to June 2027 with the same salary.

Meanwhile, Osimhen’s medical tests will take place on Tuesday morning, in time for him to be registered in Galatasaray’s Europa League squad.

Osimhen is expected to join his Super Eagles teammates ahead of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

Matchday 1 will see the Super Eagles host Benin Republic in Uyo on Saturday, September 7 and then on September 10, the team will take on Rwanda in Kigali.