Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has expressed delight after being named Footballer of the Year at the 72nd Milliyet Sports Awards, held in Turkey.

The award recognises Osimhen’s outstanding impact at Galatasaray, where he played a central role in the club’s historic domestic double last season, winning both the Süper Lig title and the Turkish Cup.

Osimhen delivered a remarkable campaign, scoring 37 goals and providing seven assists across all competitions, underlining his status as one of Europe’s most lethal forwards.

Reacting to the honour, the 27-year-old Nigerian goal machine expressed gratitude to those behind his success.

“Thank you for the award. Using this opportunity, I would like to thank my club, Galatasaray, my fans, my teammates, my president, and my coach. I hope to return soon,” Osimhen said.

The ceremony, described as the “Oscars of sports” in Turkey, also marked a historic milestone, with Osimhen becoming the first Nigerian to win the award.

His numbers underline his influence. The Nigerian international registered 26 goals and four assists in 30 league appearances, added seven goals in the UEFA Europa League, and scored five times in the Turkish Cup during the title-winning campaign.

Osimhen has maintained that form this season, contributing 19 goals and seven assists in 29 appearances across all competitions, further cementing his importance to Galatasaray’s attacking dominance. (BusinessDay)