Osimhen to Join Haaland, Mbappé on EA Sports Cover
By Oliver Lewis July 19, 2023 132
MANCHESTER, ENG - Manchester United's newest signee, Victor Osimhen, has already taken advantage of his new fame before even stepping onto the pitch for the Red Devils. The Nigerian striker has just agreed to a deal with EA Sports' FIFA series to appear as a cover athlete alongside Manchester City's Erling Haaland. This is a major coup for Osimhen, as he joins an elite group of footballers to grace the cover of the world's most popular football game.
For Osimhen, being selected as a FIFA cover athlete is a dream come true. "I used to play FIFA growing up, and now I'm going to be on the cover," he said. "It's an amazing feeling, and I'm so grateful to EA Sports for this opportunity."
The announcement was made in a press conference by EA Sports, where Osimhen was joined by Haaland via Zoom. The two young stars will pose for photos in Manchester later this summer, with their images set to be emblazoned on millions of copies of the game around the world.
The deal is a testament to Osimhen's growing reputation as one of the most promising young strikers in world football. Since bursting onto the scene at Lille in 2019, he has consistently impressed with his pace, power, and goal-scoring ability. Last season, he scored an impressive 41 goals in 51 appearances for Napoli, establishing himself as one of the most exciting young talents in the game.
It was this impressive form that caught the eye of Manchester United's coaching staff, who have been monitoring his progress for some time. When the opportunity arose to sign him this summer, they jumped at the chance. The club paid a club-record fee of £135 million to secure his services, and he has quickly become one of the most exciting prospects at Old Trafford.
Osimhen's signing was seen as a major statement of intent by Manchester United. The club's new ownership group, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, have made it clear that they are willing to spend big to build a winning team. With Osimhen now in the fold, Manchester United has added yet another world-class player to their squad.
For EA Sports, selecting Osimhen as a cover athlete is a shrewd move. The company is always looking to feature the biggest and brightest stars of the football world on their game's cover, and Osimhen certainly fits that bill. With his incredible speed, goal-scoring ability, and youth, he is a player that fans will be eager to control in the game.
The decision to pair Osimhen with Haaland is also an interesting one. The two young stars are seen as the future of football, and their impending rivalry on the pitch has already begun to capture the imagination of fans around the world. Seeing them together on the cover of FIFA will only add to the excitement surrounding their careers.
For Manchester United fans, the announcement of Osimhen as a FIFA cover athlete is just the latest reason to be excited about the future of the club. With a talented young squad and a commitment to investing in top players, the Red Devils are well positioned to challenge for titles both at home and abroad.
As for Osimhen himself, he is looking forward to getting started with his new club and making an impact on the pitch. "I'm honored to be a part of Manchester United, and I can't wait to start playing," he said. "Being on the cover of FIFA is an incredible honor, but my main focus is on helping the team win trophies. I'm looking forward to working hard in training and making a positive impact on the pitch."
The FIFA cover athlete deal is just the latest in a string of accolades for Osimhen, who has already achieved so much in his young career. He has won multiple individual awards, including the Ligue 1 Player of the Month award and the African Youth Player of the Year award, and has been a regular member of the Nigerian national team since 2017.
As Osimhen's star continues to rise, there is no doubt that he will be a major figure in the world of football for years to come. And for Manchester United fans, the prospect of seeing him in action on the pitch and in FIFA 24 is a tantalizing one.
(Photos by Holly Richardson / Associated Press)
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Oliver Lewis is a staff writer at The Athletic covering Manchester United. Previously, he wrote for ESPN. Follow Oliver on Twitter @OliverLewisAthletic.