Official: Super Eagles invitee leaves Udinese for Genoa

Former Super Eagles invitee Kingsley Ehizibue has officially joined Genoa as a free agent after leaving Udinese at the end of the 2025/26 Serie A season, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 31-year-old right-back signed a multi-year contract with Genoa on Thursday, 3 September, after successfully completing his medical at the La Tua Casa della Salute facilities.

Ehizibue's contract with Udinese expired in June after the two sides failed to agree on a new deal. Genoa moved quickly to secure the Dutch-born Nigerian, who now begins another chapter in Italy.

The move also gives new Genoa manager Daniele De Rossi an experienced option on the right side of his defence.

Ehizibue's arrival followed the collapse of a late transfer-window deal for Leicester City defender Woyo Coulibaly. Coulibaly had been lined up as a replacement for Brooke Norton-Cuffy, but the deal did not go through.

A seven-year story comes full circle for Super Eagles hopeful Ehizibue

Ehizibue's Genoa move carries an unusual story, per GrandHotelCalcioMercato. The club first tried to sign him in January 2019 when he was playing for Dutch side PEC Zwolle.

The transfer was close to being completed. Ehizibue was expected to travel to Genoa for lunch on a cold January day, but a snowstorm delayed his arrival until the following day. Then came an unexpected twist.

Ehizibue, who earned a Super Eagles invitation under former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr, told Genoa's directors:

“I can't come here, director, excuse me. I understand this isn't my place.”

When asked why, he replied:

“Yes, God told me. I saw it last night in a dream.”

The decision shocked the Genoa officials. Ehizibue instead moved to FC Köln that year before returning to Italy three seasons later with Udinese.

He joined Udinese from Köln in 2022 and became a regular presence for the club. Across four seasons in Udine, he made more than 115 appearances in all competitions and scored four goals. His 2025/26 season was another busy one. Ehizibue played 32 Serie A matches and recorded more than 1,900 minutes.

Seven years after turning down Genoa, the defender has now completed the move he once abandoned.

Speaking after his return, Ehizibue said:

“As a believer, it's the best way to ask for forgiveness after, years ago, I backed out of the offer I received. Things change, and my outlook has changed. I want to get involved, and I feel joy in knowing I'll be defending the colors of Genoa. I thank the club.”

The move gives Ehizibue another chance to establish himself in Serie A, while Genoa gain a player with four years of experience in Italy's top flight. The story that started with a missed trip to Genoa in 2019 has finally reached its destination.