Coventry City sign Onyeka: Two Nigerian players who can join Sky Blue stars

Frank Onyeka has completed a permanent move to Coventry City ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season, sealing his switch from Brentford after impressing on loan under Frank Lampard, Soccernet.ng reports.

Having played just 88 Premier League minutes for Brentford in the first half of the season under new manager Keith Andrews, the 28-year-old capitalised on a brilliant AFCON 2027 campaign in Morocco by joining Coventry City on loan in February, with the option to make the deal permanent if they gained promotion.

He went on to play 14 games for Coventry, scoring one goal and assisting another, as Lampard's side stormed through the Championship and clinched the title with two games to spare.

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The fee remains undisclosed, and the contract terms have not been made public, but Onyeka has been clear about his motivations.

“When I first joined last season, I came here with two goals, and that was to win the Championship and help Coventry get promoted to the Premier League,” he said as revealed by the club's official website.

“I'm really happy to now be a Coventry player back in the Premier League. I will give everything to the team, fight for every ball, fight for my teammates and bring my experience.

“My ambition now is to help the Club stay in the Premier League and finish as high as we can.”

We are delighted to announce that Frank Onyeka has signed a permanent deal with the Club. 🩵

— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) June 29, 2026

Brentford's football director Phil Giles spoke warmly of Onyeka's exit, noting that “he probably didn't start as many games as he'd have liked, which is why the opportunity for him to move to Coventry made sense for all parties,” while confirming the midfielder “has earned his chance at becoming a regular Premier League starter.”

Coventry's reward for that faith is a battle-tested international midfielder who already understands what it takes to succeed in their system, but that's not all. Onyeka's arrival opens the door for Lampard to consider further reinforcements from the Nigerian talent pool as the Sky Blues prepare for life in the top flight.

Two Nigerian players who could join Frank Onyeka at Coventry

1. Bright Osayi-Samuel

The Birmingham City right-back, who joined the Blues on a free transfer from Fenerbahce last summer, has previously spoken of his Premier League ambition.

Osayi-Samuel can operate as a right-back, wing-back or winger, offering a versatility that fits the kind of tactical flexibility that Lampard would value enormously.

He has already stated publicly that his goal is to play in the English top flight and that he wants to show everyone what he can do. With Birmingham currently in the Championship, a move to a newly promoted Coventry side would represent exactly the platform he has been chasing since his Fenerbahce contract expired.

Osayi-Samuel has represented Nigeria since 2022, accumulating 34 caps, and having already played for Blackpool and QPR, would need very little time to adapt to life at Coventry.

2. Kelechi Iheanacho

The former Leicester City striker recently became a free agent after Celtic failed to activate their option to renew his contract for another year.

The 29-year-old will be on the lookout for clubs that can offer him regular minutes and a fresh start. Coventry, newly promoted and needing a proven Premier League player, offers that option.

Iheanacho scored six goals in nine substitute appearances during Celtic's SPFL title run-in, demonstrating his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments, which would be needed in Frank Lampard's side are to stay up in the English Premier League.

Onyeka was the first piece of the puzzle. Osayi-Samuel and Iheanacho, both available on reasonable terms and both with points to prove, would be entirely logical next additions as Lampard reshapes his squad for the upcoming Premier League season.