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Transfer update and rumours of Nigerian star footballers abroad
As some clubs have already resumed preseason training, ABIODUN ADEWALE tracks the movement of Nigerian players abroad
MOVED
William Troost-Ekong (Watford to PAOK)
After spending the second half of the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Salernitana in the Serie A, Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong has joined top Greek club, PAOK, on a three-year-deal. The Greeks paid £1m for the 29-year-old.
Troost-Ekong joined Salernitana on loan from Watford but the Italian side didn’t trigger the option to buy him.
Cyriel Dessers (Cremonese to Rangers)
After one season in the Serie A, Cyriel Dessers has completed the move to Rangers from Cremonese for an undisclosed fee.
The Belgium-born 28-year-old, who has four international caps, has signed a four-year deal with the Scottish Premiership club.
Dessers had been under contract with relegated Cremonese until summer 2027.
Dessers joined the Italian outfit from Genk in August after scoring three goals in his final two games in the Belgian top flight and went on to score seven times in 29 appearances last season in Italy’s Serie A.
Peter Olayinka (Red Star Belgrade)
After four years at Slavia Prague, Peter Olayinka joined Serbian club, Red Star Belgrade, on a free transfer this summer. The striker signed a three-year contract with the former European champions.
The Nigerian will begin a new adventure in Serbia after etching his name in the Czech Republic where he scored 50 goals and also made 26 assists in 182 appearances for Slavia Prague.
“I am aware that it is a step forward, and change, although it is not easy, goes with the job of a football player. This is a new challenge that I have set before myself,” Olayinka said after completing the move.
Muhamed Tijani (Baník Ostrava to Slavia Prague)
Former U-20 striker, Muhamed Tijani, joined Slavia Prague from another Czech side, Banik Ostrava and penned a dela that will keep him at the Municipal Stadium until June 2028.
The 36 Lions FC product is considered as a direct replacement for Peter Olayinka. Tijani scored 11 goals in 32 appearances for Baník Ostrava last season.
Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United to Luton Town)
With three Nigerian born players in the squad already, Premier League new boys, Luton Town, have announced the signing of Chiedozie Ogbene to take the number to four.
Ogbene joined Luton Town following the expiration of his contract with Sky Bet Championship club Rotherham United. The 26-year-old scored nine goals and provided four assists in all competitions for the Millers last season.
He joins Elijah Adebayo, Gabriel Osho, and Fred Onyedinma at the club.
NOT MOVED
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
One of the biggest transfer targets in the world at the moment, Victor Osimhen has not stopped making headlines even while he enjoyed his holiday in Lagos.
From the latest reports in Italy, Napoli are going to include a release clause into the new contract of the Nigerian, suggesting he might be staying for another season with the Italian champions.
His current contract runs until 2025 and the club placed a €180m price tag on him after he was linked with Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, PSG and Bayern Munich.
Josh Maja (free agent)
After seeing out his contract at French Ligue 2 side, Bordeaux, Josh Maja is now a free agent and has been on the radar of clubs in France and beyond.
The Nigerian rejected the offer to extend his stay at the club after they missed out on promotion to the French Ligue 1. The 24-year-old spearheaded the team’s efforts, scoring 16 goals in the second tier.
Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers are one of the clubs interested in the Nigeria international.
Iheanacho, Ndidi (Leicester)
Since the relegation of Leicester City to the Championship, Nigeria’s duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi have been tipped to move away from the club.
Iheanacho has been linked with a move to Besiktas and Roma while Ndidi has been the subject of a reunion with former boss Brendan Rodgers at Celtic.
Leicester City’s manager, Enzo Maresca, has also left the door open for both players and others to leave the club.
Aribo, Onuachu (Southampton)
After an underwhelming first season in England, midfielder Joe Aribo and striker Paul Onuachu are also making frantic efforts to revive their club careers following the relegation of Southampton.
Aribo could be offered an escape route from Southampton by Turkish giants Besiktas. The former Rangers hero endured a miserable debut campaign at St Mary’s as the £10m playmaker managed just 11 starts across all competitions.
For Onuachu, his supposed mission to rescue the Saints didn’t go well as he failed to score in 11 appearances. He has resumed preseason training with them amid rumours linking him with a mover to Germany and Turkey.
David Okereke (Cremonese)
Suffering the same fate as some of his counterparts in the EPL, David Okereke is looking for new clubs following the relegation of Cremonese to the Serie B in Italy although the Nigeria international has not been linked with any move yet.