Former Fenerbahce and Antalyaspor defensive midfielder, Serkan Reçber, has made controversial comments about North African and Nigerian players while discussing Victor Osimhen's impending move to Galatasaray.
Speaking on the Sports Digitale YouTube channel, Reçber claimed that players from these regions are typically "difficult to manage and have been known to cause problems" but was quick to exempt Osimhen from this characterization.
"North African players and some Nigerian players are difficult to manage and have been known to cause problems," Reçber said. "But Osimhen is not like that. I used to see Osimhen at the mall, and he was always happy, even when we were eating and chatting."
The former midfielder went on to share personal anecdotes highlighting Osimhen's exemplary character, recalling an incident after a match: "After the 3-3 draw at Kasımpaşa, a Kasımpaşa player asked Osimhen for an autograph and went to his dressing room, brought a pen, and signed it."
Reçber further praised the Nigerian striker's sportsmanship, noting, "He has a very high character. Even though they lost the match 3-0, he congratulated everyone in the opponent team one by one. Performance changes, but character doesn't."
Osimhen is reportedly set to join Galatasaray on a permanent transfer from Napoli in the coming days. According to reports, the Nigerian international has agreed to a three-year deal with a one-year extension option with the Turkish giants.
This transfer has generated significant interest across Europe, with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand recently expressing disappointment that Osimhen might choose Galatasaray over Premier League clubs. Ferdinand had previously stated that the reported £50 million valuation for Osimhen was "peanuts" given the striker's quality.
The 25-year-old Nigerian forward has been one of Europe's most sought-after strikers following his impressive performances for Napoli, where he played a crucial role in their Serie A title win in the 2022/2023 season.
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