Super Eagles: Seven Most Expensive Nigerian Football Transfers Ever
Nigerian footballers have made waves in the global transfer market with some eye-catching fees as they join major European clubs. Below is a list of the top seven most costly transfers involving Nigerian players, ranked by reported transfer amounts.
These hefty deals underline the high caliber of talent Nigeria produces and the growing value of Super Eagles stars worldwide.
7. Taiwo Awoniyi – €20.5 Million (Union Berlin to Nottingham Forest, 2022)
Awoniyi’s path to European success was gradual. Signing for Liverpool as a teenager in 2015, he never played competitively for them due to work permit problems and spent much time out on loan. His breakthrough came at Union Berlin, where his goal-scoring and physical presence caught attention.
Nottingham Forest, newly promoted to the Premier League in 2022, paid €20.5 million, making him their priciest signing then. Awoniyi justified that fee with important goals that helped Forest avoid relegation, becoming a fan favorite and earning caps for Nigeria.
6. Terem Moffi – €22.5 Million (Lorient to Nice, 2023)
Moffi has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most thrilling forwards recently. Known for his strength and sharp finishing, he impressed in France's Ligue 1 with Lorient, consistently scoring and ranking among the league's top marksmen.
In 2023, OGC Nice secured his services permanently for €22.5 million after a loan spell, marking one of the season’s biggest transfers in French football.
5. Odion Ighalo – €23.3 Million (Watford to Changchun Yatai, 2016)
Ighalo was among the first Nigerian stars to make a big-money move to China amid the Asian football boom. Following a prolific run at Watford in the Premier League, Chinese club Changchun Yatai paid €23.3 million to sign him in 2016, placing him among Africa’s highest earners then.
He later played for Shanghai Shenhua, Al Shabab, and had a notable loan stint at Manchester United in 2020. Ighalo also led Nigeria as top scorer in AFCON 2019, helping the team to third place.
4. Calvin Bassey – €23 Million (Rangers to Ajax, 2022)
Bassey enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2021-22, key to Rangers reaching the UEFA Europa League final thanks to his solid defensive displays and versatility as both centre-back and left-back.
Ajax snapped him up in 2022 for €23 million, making him Nigeria’s most expensive defender ever. Though initially struggling, he found form and later joined Fulham in the Premier League, continuing his development. Bassey remains an important part of Nigeria’s plans.
3. Kelechi Iheanacho – €27.7 Million (Manchester City to Leicester City, 2017)
Once seen as a bright prospect at Manchester City, Iheanacho moved to Leicester City in 2017 for €27.7 million after limited opportunities under Pep Guardiola.
At Leicester, he experienced highs and lows but played a vital role in their 2021 FA Cup win, scoring key goals en route. That season marked his best performance, finishing as Leicester’s top scorer. He has also been a reliable scorer for Nigeria in AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.
2. Alex Iwobi – €30.4 Million (Arsenal to Everton, 2019)
Iwobi’s move in 2019 from Arsenal to Everton for €30.4 million surprised many. A product of Arsenal’s academy and an FA Cup winner, his transfer was part of Everton’s rebuilding efforts.
Though he had a slow start at Everton, Iwobi became a key player, often deployed deeper under coaches Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche. Later, he joined Fulham and established himself as a regular. With over 60 appearances for Nigeria and a goal in AFCON 2019, Iwobi is also popular on social media.
1. Victor Osimhen – €78.9 Million (Lille to Napoli, 2020)
Leading the list by a wide margin is Victor Osimhen. In 2020, Napoli paid €77.5 million to acquire him from Lille, setting records as Nigeria’s most expensive transfer and Africa’s priciest deal ever.
Osimhen’s impact was immediate. In 2022–23, he spearheaded Napoli’s first Serie A title in over three decades, finishing as the league’s top scorer. His goals and determination made him a hero in Naples. For Nigeria, he is the main striker, instrumental in their qualification for major tournaments and a constant threat for opponents. His rise from Lagos streets to European stardom is remarkable.
- Transfer Fees Source: Transfermarkt
