Official: Super Eagles star joins NK Celje in Slovenia after making Nigeria debut vs Ghana

Slovenian top-flight side NK Celje have completed the signing of highly rated Nigerian midfielder Papa Daniel from NPFL outfit Niger Tornadoes, Soccernet.ng reports.

NK Celje made the announcement on Wednesday (today) with a statement released via their official website.

The 23-year-old, who admires Chelsea great John Obi Mikel, has penned a contract running until June 2028, becoming the seventh Nigerian to represent the club.

His arrival follows a string of eye-catching performances in the Nigerian Premier Football League last season, where he notched four goals and added three assists in 21 appearances from a defensive midfield position.

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Daniel began his journey at the renowned Fackson Nextpro Football Academy, a springboard that launched his early career into the European spotlight.

At just 19, he secured his first taste of success abroad with Adanaspor in Turkey. Following a short stint there, he returned to Nigeria to feature for Sporting Supreme FC for two-and-a-half years before joining Niger Tornadoes last season.

His dominant displays at the heart of midfield for Tornadoes didn’t go unnoticed.

Papa Daniel Gets Super Eagles Call-Up

The Super Eagles coaching staff handed him his first international call-up earlier this year.

Though he did not feature in the March World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, Daniel made his debut in May’s friendly clash against arch-rivals Ghana at the Unity Cup, a match Nigeria won 2-1 under the guidance of Eric Chelle.

Daniel had been a key component of the Super Eagles B side that secured qualification for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN).

However, his move to NK Celje means he is now ineligible for the tournament, which is exclusively reserved for players based on the continent.

His absence will be a notable miss for Nigeria at the CHAN, but coach Eric Chelle has already begun recalibrating.

The CHAN Eagles have recorded wins in all three of their warm-up matches against domestic clubs, with one final tune-up fixture scheduled against Rwandan champions APR FC before the competition kicks off next month.

How Many Nigerian Players Have Played for NK Celje

At NK Celje, Daniel joins a select group of Nigerian players who have donned the club’s colours in recent years, including Sunday Chibuike, Sunny Omoregie, Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi, and Sunday Adetunji.

The club, crowned Slovenian champions in 2020 and 2024, finished fourth in the league last season but remains keen to challenge again at the top with a rejuvenated squad.