AT A GLANCE: Sadiq, Aribo, Victor Moses… Nigerian footballers who moved during winter transfer window

The last summer tranfer window across Europe delivered some high profile disappointments for Nigerian footballers, with Ademola Lookman resulting to training boycott to protest Atalanta’s failure to sell him to Inter Milan and Victor Boniface’s loan move to AC Milan which was scuttled by medical issues. The winter transfer window was the complete opposite.

Several Nigerian players made career-progressing moves across Europe and beyond. Super Eagles stars finally got their big money moves or calculated deal to secure playing minutes while future prospects hitched to the next level. Retired Super Eagles stars also commanded the pulse of suitors as the tranfers window shuts around the world.

Here are the breakdown of some of the deals Nigerian players commanded during the just concluded winter transfer window:

ADEMOLA LOOKMAN (ATALANTA TO ATLETICO MADRID FOR €35M)

A turbulent year in Italy has come to an end for Lookman who further enhanced his reputation with another stellar performance at AFCON 2025. The Rojiblancos coughed a whopping €35 million fixed prize and another €5 million for the 28-year-old. Lookman becomes only the second Nigerian ever at the club, and the first Super Eagle player to pull on the club’s colours.

FRANK ONYEKA (ON LOAN TO COVENTRY CITY FROM BRENTFORD)

This surprise loan move to the Championship has been questioned by fans and experts alike, but Onyeka’s has the opportunity of leading table-topping Coventry back to the English Premier League (EPL) for the first time in 25 years.

VICTOR MOSES (FREE TRANSFER TO FC KAYSAR)

After seven months without a club, 35-year-old Moses finally landed in far-away Kazakhstan with FC Kaysar. The club will hope the former Chelsea player would use his one-year deal to turn the side from perennial strugglers to championship material.

WILLIAM TROOST-EKONG (AL-KHOOLID TO AL-AHLI FOR UNDISCLOSED FEE)

Made the surprise switch earlier in January and has met with instant success, winning the UAE-Qatar Super Cup with victory over Al Jazira. The former Super Eagles captain continues to enjoy the closing stages of his playing career in the Middle East.

JOE ARIBO (ON LOAN TO LEICESTER CITY TO SOUTHAMPTON)

The 27-year-old midfielder has been struggling for minutes at the St. Mary this season and a move up north to another EFL Championship side will help return to his best form.

SADIQ UMAR (REAL SOCIEDAD TO VALENCIA FOR €5 MILLION)

The Super Eagles striker finally ended his Real Sociedad nightmare with a permanent move to Valencia where he previously had a successful loan spell. Another chance for Sadiq to warm his way back into the national team handlers’ hearts.

TEREM MOFFI (ON LOAN TO FC PORTO FROM OGC NICE)

The Nigerian international’s torrid time with Nice fans has come to an end with an intersting loan escape to Porto where he could win the Portuguese league while enjoying the company of Zaidu Sanusi, his international colleague.

RAFIU DUROSINMI (VIKTORIA PLZEN TO PISA FOR €9M)

The 23-year-old striker’s stock continues to rise, earning him his biggest transfer so far. He has taken to the Serie A like fish to water with a goal and assist each in three matches since he moved in early January.

Advertisement

TOCHUKWU NNADI (ZULTE WAREGEM TO MARSEILLE FOR €6M)

Nnadi was a squad player with Nigeria at AFCON 2025, but the 22-year-old defensive midfielder seen as a natural alternative to captain Wilfred Ndidi continues his upward trajectory with this move to Marseille, one of the major clubs in the French Ligue 1.

Advertisement

SALIM FAGO LAWAL (NK ISTRA TO VIKTORIA PLZEN FOR €2.4M)

Another surprise inclusion in the AFCON 2025 squad, Lawal’s performances propelled Istra to punch above their weight in Croatia, with seven goals and two assists taking the club to third on the log. A move to Plzen will provide more competition for the 23-year-old, and a chance to earn futher call-ups to the Eagles camp.

LEONARD NGENGE (REMO STARS TO LEEDS UNITED FOR UNDISCLOSED FEE)

The 18-year-old made a meteric leap into one of the best clubs in England from the Nigeria Premier Football Leage (NPFL). Although he joined the club’s academy, there is a clear path to first team promotion with good impression.

CHIBUIKE NWAIWU (WOLFBERGER TO TRABZONSPOR FOR €5.5M)

The 22-year-old centre back has taken the next step in his burgeoning career and looks settled in Trabzonspor since his January switch, with three league appearances already to his name. The former Enyimba player, Under-23 invitee, and Austrian Cup winner could be set to win more laurels in Turkey.

PROSPER OBAH (LNZ CHERKASY TO SHAKHTAR DONESK FOR €4.5M)

Eight goals and four assists in 17 matches saw Sahkhtar act fast to sign the 22-year-old forward who contributed a goal and assist against the biggest club in Ukraine last October. He is known for his speed and precise strikes, and will be expected to make a bigger move to an elite European club and league in the nearest future.

Other notable mentions: Uchenna Ogundu and Suleman Sani made interesting moves to the German Bundesliga to enhance their burgeoning profiles. Ogundu joined Augsburg from Alayanspor for €4.5 million, while Sani left Slovakia’s Trencin for RB Leipzig in a €5 million deal. Emmanuel Dennis finally found a club, FC Brondby in the Danish Premier League. Ehije Ukaki has been sent on loan to Atromitos in the Greek Super League by Sheffield United for the youngster to gain more experience, and Ejike Opara made a permanent switch from Serbia’s Novi Pazar to Viktoria Guimaraes in the Portuguese league.

Click here to read article