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Victor Osimhen is a dynamic Nigerian professional footballer known for his blazing pace, imposing strength, and clinical striker finishing ability. He is a key member of Nigeria’s national side, the Super Eagles, and is currently on loan at Süper Lig club Galatasaray from Serie A’s Naples. Osimhen’s path from the streets of Lagos to global prominence is characterized by persistence, talent, and an unwavering will to succeed.
Profile Overview
Full Name: | Victor James Osimhen |
Stage Name: | Victor Osimhen |
Born: | December 29, 1998 |
Age: | 26 years old |
Birthplace: | Lagos, Nigeria |
Nationality: | Nigerian |
Occupation: | Professional Footballer |
Height: | 6 feet 1 inch (1.86 m) |
Parents: | Patrick Osimhen and Christiana Osimhen |
Siblings: | Andrew, Samson, Gloria, Esther, Joy, Blessing |
Spouse: | Stefanie Kim Ladewig |
Children: | Hailey True |
Relationship: | Dating |
Net Worth: | $10 million to $12 million USD |
Early Life and Education
Victor James Osimhen was born on December 29, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria, as the youngest of seven siblings, including Andrew, Samson, Gloria, Esther, Joy, Blessing, and Victor. He was raised in the challenging Olusosun community, which is home to one of Africa’s largest dumpsites. His parents, Patrick and Christiana Osimhen, were originally from Edo State’s Esan ethnic group and instilled a strong Christian faith in their family. Victor tragically lost his mother as a young child and his father in 2020. Victor supported his modest household by hawking sachet water in Lagos traffic, while his brother Andrew sold newspapers and his sister Blessing traded goods to fund his early football ambitions.
Victor went to Olusosun Primary School, where football became his refuge and passion. His formal education beyond primary school is not well documented, but his scholarship-funded enrollment at the Ultimate Strikers Academy in Lagos at the age of 14 marked the beginning of his football career. Victor, inspired by Ivorian legend Didier Drogba, honed his skills by playing with makeshift balls and scavenged boots, laying the groundwork for his incredible career.
Victor Osimhen Real Name
Victor Osimhen’s real name is Victor James Osimhen. He was born on December 29, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria, to parents from Edo State. Specifically, his father, Patrick Osimhen, hails from Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Oshimen Career

Victor Osimhen’s career began with a meteoric rise at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, where he scored 10 goals in seven games, winning the Golden Boot and Silver Ball while leading Nigeria to victory. He was named the 2015 CAF Youth Player of the Year and signed a pre-contract with German club VfL Wolfsburg, where he will make his debut in 2017.
Injuries hampered his time there, prompting a game-changing loan to Belgian club Charleroi in 2018-19, where he scored 20 goals in 36 appearances. This resurgence landed him a €15 million move to Ligue 1 club Lille in 2019, where he scored 18 goals in 38 appearances, earning the 2020 Prix Marc-Vivien Foé as the best African player in France and Lille’s Player of the Season.
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In 2020, Napoli signed Osimhen for a record-breaking €70 million (possibly rising to €80 million), making him Africa’s most expensive transfer. Despite early injuries, including a shoulder issue and a severe 2021 head injury that required facial surgery, he adapted and has since worn a protective mask. His 2022-23 season was historic: he scored 26 goals to become Serie A’s top scorer—the first African to do so—and led Napoli to their first league title in 33 years, winning Serie A Best Striker and Footballer of the Year awards.
In 2024, Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan, where he continued his prolific form, finishing as the Süper Lig’s top scorer and helping the club win a domestic double. Internationally, he is Nigeria’s joint-second all-time leading goalscorer, with 23 goals, including four in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers. His eighth-place finish in the 2023 Ballon d’Or and 2023 CAF African Footballer of the Year awards highlight his international stature.
Awards and Nominations
- FIFA U-17 World Cup (2015): Golden Boot (10 goals), Silver Ball
- CAF Youth Player of the Year (2015)
- Ligue 1 Player of the Month (September 2019)
- Prix Marc-Vivien Foé (2020): Best African Player in Ligue 1
- Lille Player of the Season (2020)
- Serie A Best Young Player (2021–22)
- Serie A Top Scorer (2022–23): 26 goals (first African to win)
- Serie A Best Striker (2022–23)
- Serie A Footballer of the Year (2022–23)
- Globe Soccer Power Horse Emerging Player of the Year (2023)
- CAF African Footballer of the Year (2023): First Nigerian since 1999
- Ballon d’Or (2023): Nominated, finished 8th (first Nigerian in top 10)
- Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR, 2023)
Social Media
Instagram Handle: @victorosimhen9
Facebook Handle: Victor Osimhen
Twitter Handle: @victorosimhen9
Personal Life

Victor Osimhen is in a committed relationship with Stefanie Kim Ladewig, a German-Cameroonian model and social media personality whom he met at VfL Wolfsburg in 2018. The couple welcomed their daughter, Hailey True, in October 2022, a milestone that Osimhen commemorates with a “H” gesture after scoring. He is a fervent Christian who owes his perseverance to his religion. Despite his fortune, Victor lives a modest lifestyle, molded by his difficult background.
He is a humanitarian who works with the World Food Programme to benefit poor people in Africa and Naples. Inspired by Sadio Mané’s philanthropic activities, he wants to help disadvantaged people all around Africa. Victor lives a rich yet grounded lifestyle, owning a property in Naples’ Posillipo region and high-end automobiles such as a Mercedes G-Class, and regularly travels by private aircraft. His adoration for Didier Drogba drives his desire to make a lasting impact on and off the game.
Oshimen Net Worth
Victor Osimhen, a world-class striker, is reported to be valued between $10 million and $12 million USD. His riches comes from his football contracts, with a current weekly wage of €190,300 (roughly €9.8 million per year) at Galatasaray, augmented by performance bonuses for goals and team achievements. Endorsements with products like as Reckitt Nigeria (Dettol), as well as real estate investments such as a villa in Naples’ Posillipo district and commercial properties, help to strengthen his financial portfolio. His economic savvy and global appeal, combined with high-profile transfers, ensure that his net worth continues to rise as he enters his peak years in European football.
Conclusion
Victor Osimhen’s rise from the harsh streets of Lagos to the peak of global football is a monument to his unwavering perseverance and exceptional talent. After overcoming a difficult upbringing filled with loss and poverty, he has emerged as one of Africa’s greatest stars, shattering records and inspiring millions. With his contagious zeal, altruism, and unwavering pursuit of success, Osimhen is more than simply a player; he is a symbol of hope and resilience, ready to make an unforgettable imprint on the sport and beyond.