It has been a busy summer for many Nigerian players across the globe with a number of promising youngsters taking the leap up to bigger clubs, while some veterans have switched sides to secure regular playing time.
The transfer window closes in just over two weeks from now, but we have already seen big moves from a few Nigerians that have stolen the spotlight.
Here, we look into the details of ten major moves and how the new signings are faring in their latest club.
Victor Osimhen, Napoli
First on the list certainly has to be Victor Osimhen. The striker moved from Lille to Napoli for €70 million with guaranteed add-ons taking the fee up to €81 million. The deal makes him just overtake Nicolas Pepe (€80 million) as the most expensive African signing of all-time.
The 21-year-old has already shown glimpses of what the Azzurri fans should expect in their forthcoming Serie A campaign having delivered remarkable performances in pre-season friendlies. In the first friendly in which he bagged a hat-trick inside the first eight minutes of the game, he linked up seamlessly with Dries Mertens and one can hope the partnership between the duo will continue to wreck havoc on oppositions this season as it did in the warm-up game.
Chidera Ejuke, CSKA Moscow
On the back of a truly impressive season performance for Dutch side Heereveen, Ejuke sealed a €12 million move to CSKA Moscow in Russia. The 22-year-old winger has already hit the ground running for the Red-blues, opening his goal account in their derby win over Spartak Moscow last weekend.
Moses Simon, Nantes
Simon signed permanently for FC Nantes from Levante after the French side activated the €5 million option-to-buy clause in the player’s loan deal. He had a breakout season for Nantes while on loan, registering nine goals and eight assists. Hopefully, he can replicate that form for The Canaries this season.
Cyriel Dessers, KRC Genk
Having recently pledged his allegiance to Nigeria, Dessers has returned to his country of birth Belgium after a three-year stint out in Holland. He joined Genk from Heracles Amelo for €4 million after a brilliant season performance at the Dutch side, where he emerged Eredivisie top scorer for the interrupted 2019/20 season. He’s started well for Genk this season as well, with two goals in his first five Jupiler Pro League games.
Zaidu Sanusi, Porto
It was another big leap for 23-year-old Sanusi who completed a €4 million switch from Santa Clara to FC Porto last month. The defender was plying his trade in the Portuguese third division with Mirandela two years ago before moving to Santa Clara on a free, so it’s evident his ascension is quite great. He could find himself starting week-in-week-out at left-back for Porto should wantaway Alex Telles (first choice LB) eventually leaves before the close of the window.
Ola Aina, Fulham
Aina is back in the Premier League with Fulham after completing a loan move from Torino. The Cottagers have an option to sign the full-back permanently for €12.5 million next summer if he impresses this season.
John Obi Mikel, Stoke City
Mikel has returned to English football once again for another ‘Project Promotion’. He’s joined Championship side Stoke City as a free agent on a one-year contract deal. The 33-year-old, who was previously on the books of another Championship side in Middlesbrough, will hope he can this time help The Potters earn qualification to the topflight by the end of the season. The midfielder is one of the numerous big recruits manager Michael O’Neill has recently brought in to beef up the squad, and you should really consider backing them up for promotion on our online betting platform.
Maduka Okoye, Sparta Rotterdam
Okoye is in line to finally have a taste of topflight after joining Sparta Rotterdam on a free transfer from Fortuna Dusseldorf. The 21-year-old shot stopper did impress in pre-season for the Eredivisie side and will definitely now be looking forward to making meaningful contributions for his new side in the course of the season.
Francis Uzoho, APOEL Nicosia
After recovering from a career-threathening knee injury that has kept him out of action for almost a year, Uzoho joined Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia permanently from Deportivo La Coruna for an undisclosed fee. The goalkeeper has a contract with APOEL that should keep him at the club till the summer of 2023.
Leon Balogun, Rangers
Balogun joined Scottish Premiership giants Rangers on a free transfer after an impressive performance for Wigan in his six-month spell in the EFL Championship. He has taken off to a bright start for The Gers and should play a key role in their title quest this season if he’s gets to overcome his injury woes.
Don’t think we missed any top Nigerian signing. Which of these ten do you see reaching stardom in the first season at their new sides, which do you think may flop? Don’t hesitate to back them, especially the forwards (to score) when you bet on football. It will sure be rewarding!