Rafael Leão has expressed his excitement about teaming up with Victor Osimhen following his high-profile move to Galatasaray from AC Milan.
The Portugal international arrived in Istanbul on Saturday to a huge reception from Galatasaray supporters at Atatürk Airport after completing a reported €45 million transfer from the Serie A club.
Leão is expected to form a formidable attacking partnership with Osimhen and Leroy Sané as Galatasaray aim to compete for domestic and European honours.
The Portuguese winger already shares a close friendship with Osimhen. Their relationship dates back to their time in Italian football, where both players were recognised among Serie A’s leading performers.
In 2023, Osimhen won the Italian Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award after scoring 26 goals and helping Napoli secure their first Serie A title in 33 years.
Leão was also named alongside Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the Serie A Team of the Year at the Gran Galà del Calcio following his impressive campaign with AC Milan.
Now preparing for a new chapter in Turkey, Leão said he was eager to take the pitch alongside his Nigerian friend and compete for major honours.
“I am very excited right now. I am excitedly waiting to play matches. Victor Osimhen and I are already good friends. I think we can achieve very good things both in the league and in the Champions League,” Leão said.
Osimhen also praised the Portuguese forward after Galatasaray’s victory on Saturday, describing Leão as a “superstar”while speaking to reporters in the mixed zone.
The prospect of Osimhen and Leão operating together has generated considerable excitement among Galatasaray supporters. Both forwards possess significant pace, physical strength and individual ability, giving the Turkish champions another attacking option for their domestic and Champions League campaigns.
Leão leaves AC Milan after seven years at San Siro, having established himself as one of Europe’s leading attacking players.
He made 291 appearances for the Rossoneri, scoring 80 goals and providing 65 assists. He also played a key role in Milan’s 2021/22 Serie A title triumph and their 2024 Supercoppa Italiana victory.
The 27-year-old’s move to Galatasaray came despite reported interest from Aston Villa, who had held discussions with Milan over a potential deal.
Asked whether he turned down Villa to join the Turkish champions, Leão pointed to Galatasaray’s determination to secure his signature.
“Yes, because Galatasaray was looking to push this deal since June. The president, Dursun Ozbek, and the vice-president, Niyazi Yelkencioglu, did a really good job, also Jorge Mendes.”
He added:
“So, thank you to all the guys who made the deal happen. It’s a good opportunity for me, and I will do my best.”
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