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Victor Osimhen has completed his move to Italian giants Napoli in one of the most anticipated moves of the summer.

The Nigerian has been one of the brightest youngsters in Europe’s top five leagues in 2019/20 and joins the Serie A giants in a €50 Million deal, a record for a Nigerian

Osimhen joins I Partenopei after 18 goals and six assists in 38 appearances for Lille and four goals in five games for Nigeria, gaining a lot of apparent interest and winning the club’s player of the season award alongside the Marc-Vivien Foé award for the best African Player in Ligue 1.

He joins the Coppa Italia winners looking to spearhead Gennaro Gattuso’s project, with a squad rebuilding the theme at San Paolo stadium after a crisis-ridden atmosphere prior to Gattuso’s mid-season appointment. Osimhen has gained considerable experience in Germany, Belgium and France with an obvious learning curve, he now faces the ultimate test for a striker against some of the best tactically-drilled defensive shapes in Europe in Serie A.

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Osimhen is undoubtedly fulfilling his immense potential having won the Golden Boot and Silver Ball awards at the 2015 U-17 World Cup with Nigeria. He would relish the next step of his development where he fits into Gattuso’s tenacious side, looking to slot right into an attack crying out for his exciting talents. 

OSIMHEN: BACK TO THE BEGINNING

The 21-year-old would immediately provide a focal point in attack, his considerable attacking presence and work ethic would also suit the diminutive attackers around him including Lorenzo Insigne, Hirving Lozano, Matteo Politano and Dries Mertens.

Indeed, only Insigne matches his shots per game average (3.2) in the Napoli squad and Osimhen led the Lille squad for aerial duels won with 4.4 per game. Pertinently, this particular facet of his game would greatly diversify Napoli’s attacking play as only centre-half Kostas Manolas is their most impressive in the air with 2.4 aerials won per game.

Although he needs to be more clinical, having had the most shots off target from inside the box (32) in Ligue 1, it is a good sign that Osimhen gets and creates chances for himself and is keen to shoot.

READ ALSO: Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s gift that keeps on giving

Additionally, with Andrea Petagna already signed ahead of next season, there is healthy competition for his place and a target-man whom he can potentially learn from.

Osimhen would also be free of undue external pressure due to his transfer fee, given Napoli are on course for the Europa League next season, he is in a suitable environment to unlock his exciting potential. 

The passionate fanbase and historic atmosphere also set him on due course to become a cult hero in Naples.