SLAVIA PRAGUE - ANDERLECHT Igoh Ogbu of Slavia during the UEFA Europa League, league phase football match between SK Slavia Prague and RSC Anderlecht. Eden Arena, Prague, Czechia, December 12, 2024. Photo by IMAGO
Slavia Prague’s Igoh Ogbu has emerged as one of Nigeria’s highest-rated centre-backs, following the latest valuation update by Transfermarkt, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 24-year-old defender is now valued at €8 million – the highest point of his career so far.
Ogbu, who joined Slavia Prague from Lillestrøm for €2.5 million in January 2023, is currently the fifth most valuable player at his club and seventh overall in the Czech First League.
His €8 million valuation also places him as the joint 21st most valuable Nigerian player worldwide, alongside Fenerbahce full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel.
Among Nigerian defenders, only Fulham star Calvin Bassey (€16 million) and Nottingham Forest right-back Ola Aina (€14 million) surpass Ogbu in market value.
He is second only to Bassey on Nigeria’s centre-back list – a significant leap for the young centre-back, who continues to make waves in European football.
Ogbu’s football journey began at Nigeria’s Gombe United before his move to Norwegian giants Rosenborg in February 2018.
A four-year contract saw him transition through loan spells at Levanger and Sogndal before joining Sogndal permanently in June 2020.
In January 2021, Ogbu took a significant step forward by signing a five-year deal with Lillestrøm, where he made his Eliteserien debut against Strømsgodset on May 16, 2021.
His impressive performances caught the eye of Slavia Prague, leading to his three-year contract with the Czech club in January 2023.
Ogbu first represented Nigeria on the international stage with the U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, at the 2019 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations and the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Despite excelling at these tournaments and for Slavia Prague, he has yet to earn a senior Super Eagles call-up, though his current form suggests it is only a matter of time.
A versatile defender with a knack for scoring, Ogbu has contributed nine goals and seven assists in over 200 career appearances. His remarkable rise points to his potential to be a mainstay in both club and country football for many years to come.
This post was last modified on December 21, 2024 9:00 pm
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