Leão anticipates Osimhen partnership at Galatasaray

Rafael Leão arrived in Istanbul to a rapturous welcome from Galatasaray supporters, then spoke about the partnership many of them are waiting to see: the Portuguese forward alongside Victor Osimhen.

Leão joined the Turkish champions from AC Milan in a reported €45 million move. He is expected to line up with Osimhen and Leroy Sané as Galatasaray seeks success in domestic competition and the Champions League.

Leão and Osimhen are already close friends. They were both recognised at the 2023 Italian Footballers’ Association Awards, when Osimhen won Player of the Year after scoring 26 goals and helping Napoli secure their first Serie A title in 33 years. Leão also joined Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the Serie A Team of the Year after his campaign with Milan.

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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.

“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.

The 27-year-old spent seven years at San Siro, making 291 appearances, scoring 80 goals and providing 65 assists. He helped Milan win the 2021/22 Serie A title and the 2024 Supercoppa Italiana.

Reported interest from Aston Villa did not change the outcome. Leão said Galatasaray had pushed to sign him since June, and credited president Dursun Ozbek, vice-president Niyazi Yelkencioglu and agent Jorge Mendes with making the transfer happen. Osimhen later called Leão a superstar as he left the mixed zone after Galatasaray’s win.

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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. 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.