Super Eagles hopeful leaves Udinese after contract talks collapse as Serie A move awaits

Former Super Eagles invitee Kingsley Ehizibue's four-year stay at Italian Serie A club Udinese is coming to an end after both sides failed to agree on a new contract, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 31-year-old right-back will officially become a free agent on June 30 after negotiations over a contract extension collapsed. Although Udinese initially discussed extending his deal until 2028, the talks broke down because both parties could not agree on the structure of his salary, which was worth around €1 million net per season.

Transfer expert Nicolò Schira confirmed the situation on X, writing: “There is no agreement between Udinese and Kingsley Ehizibue. Therefore, the right-back is ready to leave on a free transfer.”

Other reports also suggested that Ehizibue will sign for a mid-table Serie A club on a three-year deal when his Udinese departure is sealed.

However, the move has not yet been completed. According to the latest reports, the proposed transfer is temporarily on hold because the defender has not made his final decision.

Udinese had offered Ehizibue only a one-year extension on reduced wages. Reports in Italy say the club wanted to lower his salary from about €900,000 plus €220,000 in bonuses. The defender instead wanted a two-year contract with only a slight adjustment to his pay, after impressing again this season.

Despite head coach Kosta Runjaic supporting his renewal, the gap between both parties remained too wide. Christian Kabasele and Hassane Kamara agreed new contracts, but Ehizibue's negotiations never reached the finish line.

The defender appeared to hint at his departure when he shared a photo of himself wearing the new away shirt of Dutch club PEC Zwolle, where he began his professional career. Having played 135 matches there before moving to FC Cologne and then joining Udinese in 2022, a return to the Netherlands could now become a realistic option.

Udinese are already preparing for life without him. The club have signed Alessandro Zanoli, but the full-back is recovering from a serious knee injury and is not expected back until September after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January. Reports also link Udinese with Como defender Mërgim Vojvoda as another possible replacement.

During his time in Udine, Ehizibue made 119 appearances, scoring four goals and providing two assists while becoming a reliable defensive option for Runjaic.

Ehizibue: Udinese star still eligible for Super Eagles

Although Ehizibue has never played a senior international match, he remains eligible to represent Nigeria.

Born in Munich, Germany, to Nigerian parents, he moved to the Netherlands when he was just two years old and later represented the Dutch Under-21 team once. Because that appearance came only at youth level, FIFA rules still allow him to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria.

Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr handed Ehizibue his first Nigeria invitation in March 2020 for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone. However, those matches were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, denying him the chance to make his senior debut.

Administrative issues also complicated matters. Dutch nationality rules on dual citizenship created concerns that switching permanently to Nigeria could affect his Dutch passport, delaying the process during previous call-ups.

Despite those setbacks, Ehizibue has repeatedly spoken about his desire to wear the green-and-white jersey. He has admitted feeling frustrated whenever international breaks pass without an opportunity to join the Super Eagles.

Now entering free agency, the experienced defender faces a big decision on whether he joins another Serie A side, returns to his roots at PEC Zwolle, or explores another destination.