Official: Osayi-Samuel dumps Fenerbahce for Championship returnees

Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel has joined a newly-promoted English Championship club, days after dumping Fenerbahce, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian's future has been one of the most talked-about issues in Turkish football in recent months.

The Super Eagles star was a regular at Fenerbahce, but with one year left on his deal, he refused to pen an extension despite several attempts from the club.

The issue dragged until his contract officially expired. He was heavily-linked with a transfer to another top Turkish club Besiktas, but the talks fell through.

Earlier in the week, Soccernet.ng then reported that Birmingham City had opened talks with the 27-year-old right-back for a move this summer.

However, Soccernet.ng can now confirm that the transfer has now been completed. Birmingham announced that Osayi-Samuel has joined them in a three-year deal, which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2028.

Recall that Birmingham City just gained promotion from the English League One and will be playing Championship football next season －the second tier of English football.

A new signing bright and early in the morning.

You love to see it. pic.twitter.com/ng1xfcgwZC

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 4, 2025

The transfer looks like a step down for Osayi-Samuel, as he left a Fenerbahce side that have a good shot at playing UEFA Champions League football next season if they survive the qualifiers.

In his four years at Fenerbahce, Osayi-Samuel featured in 178 games, with seven goals and 15 assists to his name.

He will now look to help his new club, Birmingham City, gain promotion to the Premier League next season.

Bright Osayi-Samuel is the fifth Nigerian to sign for Birmingham City?

Birmingham City have had their fair share of Nigerian players. The biggest Nigerian player to don their colors is retired Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins. He featured for them between January to May 2011.

Other Nigerian players who have featured for them are Viv Solomon-Otabor, Sone Aluko, and Dele Adebola.

Now that Osayi-Samuel has joined the club, he becomes the fifth Nigerian to sign for them. The Super Eagles star will hope to make a mark.