Official: Reigning Belgian champions sign talented Nigerian midfielder Onyedika

Italian Serie A giants AC Milan were the initial favourites to snap up the versatile youngster, but FCB have won the race for his signature

With a statement on their official website, Club Brugge have announced the signing of talented Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika from FC Midtjylland.

FC Bruges confirmed that Onyedika had inked a five-year contract to keep him with the reigning Belgian champions until the summer of 2027.

The statement did not disclose the financial detail of the deal, but it has been reported that FCB paid about nine million euros to secure the 21-year-old's signature.

If true, that would make Onyedika the joint-most expensive purchase ever made by Brugge.

A product of the FC Ebedei football academy, Onyedika was also on the radar of Italian giants AC Milan.

The Serie A champions submitted more than one bid for the Imo State-born midfielder. One of those bids was for €4 million, but FC Midtjylland rejected the offers, making it clear they wanted at least twice that figure.

Onyedika arrived in Denmark in 2019 and spent a year on loan at Fredericia, honing his skills.

He made his breakthrough with FC Midtjylland's first team last season, impressing in the Europa League and the Danish top flight.

The youngster's brilliance was rewarded at the end of the campaign when he was named the best young player in Denmark.

A defensive midfielder by trade, Onyedika can equally do a decent job when deployed as a centre-back.