Clinton Jephta: Flying Eagles winger complete permanent move to Finnish club

Nigeria U-20 winger Clinton Jephta has taken a major step in his career with a permanent move abroad, Soccernet.ng reports.

The highly rated teenager began his career with Nigerian lower-league side FC One Rocket before his impressive performances earned him a move to Nigeria Premier Football League club Niger Tornadoes.

He quickly emerged as one of the most promising youngsters in the Nigerian league, registering 11 goal contributions in his debut season.

The 19-year-old also enjoyed a brief spell at Enyimba before returning to Niger Tornadoes, where he continued his development.

His impressive performances earned him a place in Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Jephta was a key member of the squad and featured in every game of the tournament as the Flying Eagles finished third after defeating Egypt on penalties in the bronze-medal match.

Clinton Jephta completes permanent move to Inter Turku

Soccernet.ng can now exclusively confirm that Clinton Jephta has completed a permanent transfer to Finnish club Inter Turku from Niger Tornadoes.

The 19-year-old initially underwent a trial with the club and, after impressing, was signed on a four-month loan deal in March, with an option to make the move permanent.

Inter Turku have now exercised that option following an impressive spell at the club, during which Jephta scored three goals and provided five assists across all competitions and his performances convinced the Finnish side to complete the permanent transfer until 2028.

“Clinton Jephta has just made his move permanent with Inter Turku from Niger Tornadoes, and he is a player with the agency I work with”, a source close to the player told Soccernet.ng.

“Details of the agreement were not disclosed.”

Jephta has now taken the next big step in his career, becoming the latest Nigerian youngster to make the move abroad and will now be looking to impress in Finland and put himself on the radar of bigger clubs in Europe’s major leagues.

Meanwhile, he will also be hoping to catch the attention of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, who recently agreed a contract extension and will be aiming to earn a call-up to the senior side after already impressing at the youth level.