The winter transfer window ended at 11:59 PM on Monday, and it was quite a busy winter, including Nigerian players.
Soccernet gives a summary of Nigerian players activities in the January transfer market.
Super Eagles striker Kingsley Eduwo left UAE side Al-Orooba for Tunisian giants Esperance on a free transfer. The former Lobi stars man spent just a year in UAE before returning to the continent.
The 25-year-old has experience playing in the Tunisian league as this will be his second stint in North Africa after leaving CS Sfaxien three years ago.
https://twitter.com/ESTuniscom/status/1487074924934176771?t=ccUhUdsQgSQzLtaBzp1HOw&s=08
Nigerian wonder-kid Akinkunmi Amok dumped Hammarby for Danish side FC Copenhagen. Amoo joins Nigerian forward Paul Mukairu, who just moved to the Danish side.
The 19-year-old was the second-best player in the Swedish Allsvenskan last season, and he would look to keep churning out brilliant displays to help his new employers. Read more.
Akinkunmi Amoo lämnar Hammarby för att fortsätta karriären i FC Köpenhamn. Den överenskommelse klubbarna träffat för övergången innebär att Hammarby gör den största försäljningen hittills i klubbens historia.#Bajen
— Hammarby Fotboll (@hammarbyfotboll) January 31, 2022
Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo was also on the move in January, as he left the Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab for rivals Al Hilal.
The 32-year-old scored 13 goals in 19 appearances this season before Al Hilla snapped him for 2.9 million euros. Read more.
https://twitter.com/Alhilal_FC/status/1487522244163215360?t=EjpJ40NLkknDR2ctXg8FaA&s=19
Nigerian winger Ahmad Ghali joined Czech Republic side Slovan Liberec from AS Trencin for an undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old, who is a product of MFM FC, moved to Slovakian side Trencin two years ago but has been on the periphery. Ghali can play from both left and right wings.
https://twitter.com/RandaAndrew/status/1486770358363508739?t=t-7NN9brke1_CHfNwn-z3g&s=19
It was a massive step down for Super Eagles striker Simy Nwankwo, as he moved from Serie A strugglers Salernitana to Serie B strugglers Parma.
The Nigerian star arrived at Salernitana last summer, but he has struggled to cut it with his newly-promoted side. He scored just one goal in 19 appearances. Read more.
https://twitter.com/ParmaCalcio_en/status/1488131169363320835?t=NcNXMmMP43sKfT94JYITfg&s=19
Paul Mukairu left Antalyaspor for Danish side FC Copenhagen. The pacy winger joined Antalyaspor three years ago, and he steadily rose through the ranks. He also had a loan spell with Belgian side Anderlecht two seasons ago before returning to the Turkish side.
Copenhagen snapped up the 22-year-old for 1.9 million Euros. Read more.
https://twitter.com/FCKobenhavn/status/1486799766386323462?t=XHuQZfLbmk9nMqCxgAuxBQ&s=19
Super Eagles forward Samuel Kalu will look to revive his career at Premier League side Watford. The Nigerian star had a tumultuous time at Bordeaux this season, as he was basically ostracised from the squad, even in cup games.
Kalu joined the Hornets for a three million euros fee. He joins the long list of Nigerians at Vicarage road. Read more.
https://twitter.com/WatfordFC/status/1486394756255027202?t=v9gvHJIwim_-daDCBtTieQ&s=19
Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi joined Saudi Arabia club Al-Adalah as a free agent after almost two months without a club.
The Nigerian star last played for Turkish side Denizlispor, but his stay was a short one, as he spent just three months at the side.
He would look to pick up the pieces of his career at his new side.
ثالث الصفقات الشتوية
لاعب خط الوسط النيجيري / اوجينيا اونازي#شتوية_العدالة pic.twitter.com/V41Xuqwic1— نـادي الــعـدالـة السعودي (@aladalahclub) January 18, 2022
Swedish side Norrköpings added to their list of Nigerian stars after they secured the services of 26-year-old right-back Godswill Ekpolo.
Ekpolo joined as a free agent after his contract with BK Hacken expired. The 26-year-old is a Barcelona Academy graduate.
He joins 2021 Allsvenskan highest goalscorer Samuel Adegbenro at the club.
https://twitter.com/ifknorrkoping/status/1476247520376508419?t=bca41vy92cNoWI9O7-zZfA&s=19
Two Nigerians were involved in a two-way deal. Nigerian forward Ubong Ekpai left Czech Republic champions Slavia Prague for Banik Ostrava on loan for the rest of the season as part of the agreement for Yira Sor to go the other way.
https://twitter.com/slavia_eng/status/1484570839207055368?t=vkbZmtHvObssBBtdEWxoyw&s=19
Hungarian giants Ferencvarosi have added Nigerian striker Fortune Bassey to their squad after a 1.5 million euros deal with Ceske Budejovice.
The 23-year-old was one of the deadliest strikers in the Czech 1. Liga, scoring nine goals, assisting one in 19 appearances this season.
https://twitter.com/Fradi_HU/status/1483137419323088897?t=MP9xyIhUtTVjw2WQ26l-3w&s=19
Super Eagles midfielder Innocent Bonke missed out on the Nations Cup, but he secured a move to Lorient after four years at Malmo.
The Nigerian star refused to renew his contract with the Swedish champions, and he joined the Lorient on a free transfer.
He becomes the second Nigerian at the club after striker Terem Moffi. Read more.
Transfer News. Done deal.
Innocent Bonke joins Terem Moffi at French Ligue 1 side Lorient on a 3 year permanent deal from Swedish champions Malmö pic.twitter.com/Zd6XwOXv0z
— NigeriaFootball360 (@NFootball360) January 18, 2022
Nigerian winger Viv Solomon-Otabor joined Ukrainian side Rukh Lviv on a free transfer.
The London-born winger has previously played at Birmingham, Bolton and Wigan. He was previously with Scottish side St. Johnstone before the expiration of his contract.
26-year old Super Eagles forward, Viv Solomon-Otabor @VivSolomon17 joins FC Ruh Lviv in the Ukrainian Premier League pic.twitter.com/UkYkdwQ6D1
— Home of Nigerian Football (@EaglesTrackerNG) January 29, 2022
Nigerian midfielder James Igbekeme secured a season-long loan to USA side Columbus Crew from Real Zaragoza.
The 26-year-old arrived at the Spanish Segunda division side in 2018, but he has failed to impress. He moves to the MLS in search of more game time.
26-year old midfielder, James Igbekeme has joined USA MLS side, Columbus Crew on a season-long loan from Real Zaragoza.
Good move for him ?#Transfers #JamesIgbekeme #ColumbusCrew pic.twitter.com/9PFtuot6TN
— Home of Nigerian Football (@EaglesTrackerNG) January 26, 2022
Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu has joined Israeli side Hapoel Nor HaGail as a free agent.
The Nigerian star returns to football after months without a contract. His last contract was with Saudi Arabian side Al-Adalah. Read more.
https://twitter.com/EaglesTrackerNG/status/1485621242673700865?t=qaDvSMRQYmKAOQvwVy01Fg&s=19
Super Eagles star Josh Maja sealed a six-month loan deal to English Championship side Stoke City from Bordeaux.
The Nigerian striker was on loan at Fulham last season, but he was unable to help the cottagers preserve their Premier League status.
This season, he has struggled to get playing time in the Ligue 1, making just four appearances for Bordeaux in all competitions.
The Nigerian star will spend the rest of the 2021/22 season with the Potters. Read more.
https://twitter.com/stokecity/status/1488277033591341060?t=vtXGFudAUzTv7YUye8ySFw&s=19
I really pity Onazi. Very painful. Since that evil matuidi did to him in 2014 during d world cup round of 16 games which got Late Diego Maradona so furious, as Matuidi didn’t get red card as he supposedly should have. He hit out at FIFA that they were rather fighting Suarez who was only reacting to what Chielini did and ignored d fact Matuidi was supposed to have been sent off, for seriously damaging Onazi’s leg. Since then, he hasn’t been able to pick his real form again. He was in Lazio as at then.
This is really unbelievable and amazing. So all this are Nigeria players? Wow am really happy for all of them. Wishing them Success in this season. Much love Igalo. The lord is your strength.