Iheanacho, Ejuke, and the 10 most significant Nigerian transfers of the summer so far

The summer transfer window is indeed in full swing as several Nigerian footballers have switched clubs ahead of the 2024/season.

Here are the top ten transfers involving Nigerian stars thus far.

Kelechi Iheanacho, Sevilla

After spending seven years at Leicester City where he won the FA Cup and helped them gain promotion to the Premier League this term – Kelechi Iheanacho joined Sevilla on the last day of July.

Iheanacho, the most valuable Nigerian player to move this summer, signed a two-year deal with Sevilla with an option for a further year.

The 27-year-old striker leaves Wilfred Ndidi behind at Leicester only to team up with another compatriot at Sevilla in Chidera Ejuke.

Chidera Ejuke, Sevilla

Like Iheanacho, Chidera Ejuke also joined Sevilla on a free transfer after saying his final goodbye to CSKA Moscow following a four-year association with the Russian club.

Ejuke, 26, spent last season on loan at Royal Antwerp before becoming the first Nigerian to sign for Sevilla.

His attacking partnership with Iheanacho will set La Liga alight next season. 

Philip Otele, Al-Wahda FC

After an excellent campaign in Romania with CFR Cluj, Philip Otele was tipped to make the jump to the English Premier League as Brighton were reportedly interested in his services.

However, the 25-year-old winger opted to leave Europe entirely, after signing a deal with UAE Pro League club, Al-Wahda FC.

Chidozie Awaziem, FC Cincinnati

Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem has also packed his luggage and departed Europe, heading to the United States where he has joined up with FC Cincinnati.

Cincinnati paid Boavista €500,000 to secure the signature of the Nigeria international who previously played for FC Porto, CD Leganés, Nantes, Rizespor, and Hajduk Split among others.

Gabriel Osho, AJ Auxerre

Reading-born Gabriel Osho, who featured in the Premier League for Luton Town last season, will now wear the colours of French side AJ Auxerre.

Auxerre grabbed the 2024 Super Eagles invitee on a free transfer, committing him to a one-year deal while retaining the option of another two years.

The Ligue 1 side will hope Osho can be to them what Taribo West was in the nineties.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, SS Lazio

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was on the books of Hatayspor for only one season, having joined the Turkish side from Sheffield Wednesday in July 2023.

The former Man City lad impressed in the Super Lig, scoring eight goals and adding five assists in 36 games to attract the attention of Lazio.

The Italians paid Hatayspor €2 million to get Dele-Bashiru on a season-long loan deal with the obligation to buy with conditions.

Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi, OH Leuven

Ikwuemesi made a dream move to Serie A last season after joining Salernitana from NK Celje for €1.80 million. The year did not end well for Salernitana as the club was relegated to Serie B.

OH Leuven have paid Salernitana that same amount to take Ikwuemesi to Belgium and help the 22-year-old forward continue his development.

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Sampdoria

Remo Stars product Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has left Inter Milan to open a new chapter of his career at Sampdoria.

Sampdoria got Akinsanmiro on loan but have the option to sign him permanently next year.

However, to indicate how much the value the young midfielder, Inter Milan have included a buy-back option in the deal taking him to Sampdoria, where he will look to improve under one of the all-time greats, Andrea Pirlo.

Anthony Nwakaeme, Trabzonspor

Nwakaeme has made a sensational return to Trabzonspor, two years after leading the club to a historic Super Lig triumph.

After helping the Black Sea Storm win the Turkish league title in 2022, Nwakaeme left for Saudi Arabia, where he featured for Al Fayha.

The 35-year-old attacker has returned to Trabzonspor with the club challenging for honours on the domestic and continental scene.

Jonathan Okoronkwo, Funsho Bamgboye; Hatayspor

Dele-Bashiru's excellent spell at Hatayspor has boosted their confidence in Nigerian players, with the club signing two compatriots to take his place.

Jonathan Okoronkwo arrives from Russian club Krasnodar while Funsho Bamgboye comes in from Romania's FC Rapid.

Twenty-year-old centre-forward Okoronkwo has signed a three-year contract that will see him remain at Trabzon till 2027.

Former Golden Eaglets winger Bamgboye, 25, will aim to impress in Turkey as he targets a big transfer to one of Europe's top five leagues.