Newly-promoted Nigeria Premier Football League club Sporting Lagos are set to complete the signing of Haruna Hadi from Remo Stars, Soccernet.ng reports.
Hadi's future has been the subject of a lot of talk since the end of the 2025/26 NPFL campaign, due to Remo Stars' relegation from the top-flight.
Haruna Hadi for Remo Stars. Photo by Adeniyi Muyiwa Copyright: ImagoxAdeniyixMuyiwax
However, according to NPFL expert Mike The Pundit, Sporting Lagos swooped in late and hijacked the transfer, sealing his services for the next two seasons.
A key part in his decision is the closeness to home, as he is simply switching from one Lagos club to another.
🚨EXCLUSIVE | Haruna Hadi to Sporting Lagos
“E dun set” and confirmed ✅
Full agreement with Remo Stars now reached after player was hijacked from 3SC.
Contract until 2028.
Shooting Stars offer to player was 0.39% MORE than Sporting Lagos
This is a high-profile signing for the Noisy Lagosians, as they look to make a firm statement in the Nigerian top-flight after they were relegated two seasons ago.
What Does Haruna Hadi Bring To NPFL Returnees Sporting Lagos?
Sporting Lagos are signing a player with significant top-flight experience. Hadi was part of the Remo Stars team that won the league two seasons ago.
The 25-year-old is one of the top attacking midfielders in the NPFL. In fact, Nigerian journalist and NPFL expert Samuel Areo sees a bit of Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers in Hadi in how they attack the game.
Haruna Hadi Remo Stars player. Copyright: ImagoxAdeniyixMuyiwax
”The 2025/2026 season can be described as his breakout season. He had some excellent performances alongside Victor Mbaoma,” Samuel told Soccernet.ng exclusively.
”I think he is very very intelligent. He's a footballer who can play behind the centre forward. His ability on the ball is really, really good.
”He's got eyes for those penetrative passes, balls into the final third. His crosses are also excellent. He's quite dangerous in the final third.
”If given the freedom to roam around, I think he's one who can have an influence on the game.
”Although defensively he is not that great, you can't expect much from him. But he always gives his best. He's always willing to give his all anytime he's given the chance.
”He's a good capture for Sporting Lagos and I think they should enjoy him. Lagos is home for him.
”I'm suiting his style of play towards Morgan Rogers, but Rogers has some aggressiveness which Hadi doesn't have. He's just calm, intelligent and very good on the ball. He is one of the few top attacking midfielders that we have in the league.”
On this day in 2024, we got regelated from the NPFL.
An emotional day for everyone connected to the club. But our fans sang for us and stayed with us.
Sporting Lagos are yet to announce the deal, but they are known to be very thorough. So as soon as everything is sorted, they will confirm it.
The 2026/2027 NPFL season will tentatively kick off on the weekend of August 27–29, 2026, and Hadi will be hoping to get his transfer sorted soon and get off to a strong start with his new team.
Kelvin Omachonu is a professional football columnist and sports writer with over half a decade of experience covering major events and delivering captivating, analytically-driven stories.
A graduate of the University of Ibadan, he is fueled by a profound dedication to sports journalism and the beautiful game. His insights have previously been featured in respected outlets, including IndyPress UI, UCJ UI Newshive NG, Sportpremi, and a few others.
Away from work, Kelvin is an avid fan of basketball, enjoys a great movie, and is always discovering new music.
