Winter Transfer Recap: Nigerian Players Who Secured Big Moves

The 2024/25 winter transfer window has officially closed, giving clubs a vital opportunity to strengthen their squads for the crucial stretch of the season.

For many players, it was a chance to find more playing time, while others seized the opportunity to join bigger clubs and secure better contracts. Several Nigerian footballers were among those making significant moves, either on loan or through permanent transfers.

IDOMA VOICE presents the most notable Nigerian transfers from this window:

1. Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla → Middlesbrough, Loan)

Returning to familiar ground, Iheanacho completed a deadline-day loan switch to Championship side Middlesbrough from Sevilla. The 28-year-old previously played in the Championship with Leicester City, helping them secure Premier League promotion last season.

2. Umar Sadiq (Real Sociedad → Valencia, Permanent Transfer)

Sadiq has joined Valencia, aiming to rediscover his form after a tough spell at Real Sociedad. The 28-year-old suffered a cruciate ligament injury early in his time at Sociedad and never regained his rhythm before securing this move.

3. Gift Orban (Olympique Lyon → TSG Hoffenheim, Permanent Transfer)

Orban, 22, joined Hoffenheim on January 2 after a frustrating stint at Lyon, where he scored just once in 13 league appearances. Since arriving in the Bundesliga, he has hit the ground running with two goals in four games.

4. Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista → Olympiacos, Permanent Transfer)

Olympiacos won the race to sign Onyemaechi, beating Turkish side Trabzonspor to the Nigerian defender. The 25-year-old had spent most of his career in Portugal before making this move.

5. Jerome Adams (Montpellier → Sevilla, €5.5m Transfer)

Adams, 24, finally joined Sevilla after being tracked by the club during his time at Lillestrøm. The former Flying Eagles striker had previously played in Norway and France.

6. Chuba Akpom (Ajax → Lille, Loan)

Akpom, the ex-Arsenal academy graduate, left Ajax for Lille after struggling to replicate his prolific Championship form in the Eredivisie. He had joined Ajax in August 2023 following a 28-goal season for Middlesbrough.

7. Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars → Al-Merrikh, Permanent Transfer)

Fatokun, 26, has taken his career abroad for the first time, signing a two-year deal with Sudanese side Al-Merrikh. He was a key figure at Remo Stars and part of Nigeria’s CHAN squad.

8. Emmanuel Dennis (Nottingham Forest → Blackburn Rovers, Loan)

Dennis, who did not feature for Nottingham Forest in the first half of the season, joined Blackburn Rovers on loan. The former Club Brugge striker will look to help Blackburn’s Premier League promotion push.

9. Junior Ajayi (Al-Hilal Benghazi, Free Transfer)

Ajayi signed with Libyan club Al-Hilal Benghazi on a short-term deal after leaving Egyptian side Smouha SC. The former U-23 international was part of Nigeria’s bronze-winning squad at the 2016 Olympics.

10. Christian Nwachukwu (Botev Plovdiv → Sheffield United, Permanent Transfer)

Nwachukwu, 19, moved to Sheffield United from Bulgaria’s Botev Plovdiv on deadline day, signing a contract until 2027 with an option for a two-year extension. He was instrumental in Botev Plovdiv’s Bulgarian Cup triumph last season.

11. Daniel Daga (FC One Rocket → Molde FK, Permanent Transfer)

Daga, a promising young midfielder, has joined Norwegian giants Molde FK after a loan spell at Enyimba. He has represented Nigeria at the U-20 level and is expected to develop further in Europe.

These Nigerian stars will be hoping their moves help them progress in their careers while boosting their respective clubs for the remainder of the season.