Official: Nigerian striker with Russian FL top scorer award joins Sivasspor

Turkish Super Lig side Sivasspor have confirmed the signing of Nigerian forward Jonathan Okoronkwo, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 22-year-old attacker completes a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2026/27 season.

Okoronkwo makes the switch from fellow Turkish outfit Hatayspor, continuing his steady rise across European football and reinforcing Sivasspor’s attacking options midway through the campaign. The club announced the transfer on their official channels, expressing confidence in the striker’s ability to make an impact in Sivas.

Sivasspor said in a statement: “Jonathan Okoronkwo is now with our Sivasspor. Our club has signed a 1.5-year contract with the 22-year-old forward Jonathan Okoronkwo.

“We wish Okoronkwo success in our red-white jersey. ❤️🤍”

Born in Calabar, southern Nigeria, Okoronkwo is a graduate of the Diamond Star Academy and has already built a varied career despite his young age. He has featured in 80 official senior matches and scored 23 goals across domestic league competitions in Bulgaria, Russia and Turkey.

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Jonathan Okoronkwo: Nigeria's new goal machine

Okoronkwo first gained European exposure with Bulgarian side Botev Plovdiv before earning a move to Russia, where his development accelerated. In February 2022, he joined Krasnodar-2 on loan and made his debut in the Russian Football National League against Baltika Kaliningrad.

Just weeks later, his progress earned him promotion to FC Krasnodar’s senior squad, making his Russian Premier League debut in April 2022 against Dynamo Moscow. That summer, Krasnodar secured him permanently on a four-year contract, underlining their belief in his potential.

A loan spell at Arsenal Tula during the 2023–24 season proved decisive. Okoronkwo finished as the top scorer in Russia’s First League with 17 goals, a return that significantly raised his profile. In July 2024, he signed a three-year deal with Hatayspor, before now moving on to Sivasspor in search of fresh momentum in the Super Lig.

Okoronkwo arrives at Sivasspor as a young striker with proven adaptability and a recent scoring record that suggests he could quickly become an important figure in their forward line.

He becomes the 12th Nigerian player in the history of the club following the footsteps of Michael Eneramo, John Utaka, Macauley Christianus and former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa.