Nigerian winger Taofeek Ismaheel has written his name into Polish football history after helping Lech Poznań win the 2025/2026 Ekstraklasa title, Soccernet.ng reports.
Lech sealed the championship on Saturday night with a commanding 3-1 away victory over Radomiak Radom, clinching the league crown with one match still left to play. The result sparked celebrations across Poznań as the club successfully defended the Polish title for the first time in 33 years.
With the triumph, Ismaheel became the first Nigerian-born player to win the Polish Ekstraklasa title since Emmanuel Olisadebe achieved the feat with Polonia Warsaw during the 1999/2000 season.
Ismaheel joined Lech Poznań on a season-long loan from Górnik Zabrze last September with the reigning champions searching for extra pace and attacking depth on the wings. The Nigerian quickly became an important option in Danish coach Niels Frederiksen’s squad during a demanding campaign that involved both domestic and European football.
One of his standout moments arrived during Lech’s 4-1 victory over Termalica Nieciecza earlier in the season. Ismaheel scored a powerful long-range strike that helped send Lech to the top of the table during a tense title race. The winger also contributed important performances in the UEFA Europa Conference League, producing goals and assists in ties against Rapid Wien and KuPS.
Lagos-born Taofeek Ismaheel reigns in Europe
Born in Lagos on July 16, 2000, Ismaheel’s journey to the Polish title has taken him across several European leagues. The winger first developed at Hype Buzz Academy in Abuja before moving to Norway in 2019 to join Skeid.
Although Skeid struggled during his time there, his speed and dribbling ability attracted attention from Fredrikstad FK, where he became a key attacker in the Norwegian second division. His performances eventually earned him a move to French side FC Lorient in 2022.
Loan spells followed in Norway with Vålerenga and in Belgium with SK Beveren before he permanently switched to Górnik Zabrze in 2024.
During the 2024/2025 Ekstraklasa season, Ismaheel registered three goals and four assists in 31 league matches and established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous wide players. That form convinced Lech Poznań to bring him in ahead of their title defence.
This season, he featured in 21 league matches for Lech after making seven appearances earlier in the campaign for Górnik Zabrze. Though not always a regular starter, his tactical flexibility, energy and direct attacking style proved valuable during crucial moments of the season.
Now a league champion, Ismaheel’s stock continues to rise across Europe. With Lech Poznań preparing for the 2026/2027 UEFA Champions League qualifiers, the club are expected to seriously consider activating the permanent buy option in his contract.
