Super Eagles: Seven Most Expensive Nigerian Football Transfers Ever
Nigerian footballers have made significant impacts on the global transfer market, moving to some of Europe's biggest clubs for hefty fees. Here’s a look at the seven priciest Nigerian transfers, ranked by their reported values.
These transfers show both the talent Nigeria produces and how highly valued its players have become internationally.
7. Taiwo Awoniyi – €20.5 Million (Union Berlin to Nottingham Forest, 2022)
Taiwo Awoniyi’s journey in Europe was long before he found his stride. Signed by Liverpool as a teenager in 2015, work permit issues kept him from playing competitively for the Reds, leading to several loan spells.
His breakthrough came at Union Berlin, where his goals and physical style caught attention. Nottingham Forest, newly promoted to the Premier League in 2022, paid €20.5 million for him, making him their costliest signing then. Awoniyi rewarded their confidence with key goals that helped Forest avoid relegation and became a fan favourite while also representing the Super Eagles.
6. Terem Moffi – €22.5 Million (Lorient to Nice, 2023)
Terem Moffi has gained recognition as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic strikers, known for power and precise finishing. His consistent scoring at Lorient earned him a permanent move to OGC Nice in 2023 for €22.5 million, one of the biggest deals in French football that year.
5. Odion Ighalo – €23.3 Million (Watford to Changchun Yatai, 2016)
Odion Ighalo was among the first Nigerians to command a huge fee moving to China during the Asian football boom. After an impressive spell at Watford, Chinese club Changchun Yatai signed him in 2016 for €23.3 million, making him one of Africa’s highest-paid players then.
Ighalo later played for Shanghai Shenhua, Al Shabab, and had a notable loan at Manchester United in 2020. He topped the scoring charts for Nigeria at AFCON 2019, helping secure third place.
4. Calvin Bassey – €23 Million (Rangers to Ajax, 2022)
Calvin Bassey had a standout season in 2021-22, helping Rangers reach the Europa League final with solid defending. His ability to play both centre-back and left-back made him valuable.
Ajax paid €23 million to sign him in 2022, marking him as Nigeria’s most expensive defender. Though he initially struggled, Bassey found form and later moved to Fulham, continuing to grow. He remains part of Nigeria's plans.
3. Kelechi Iheanacho – €27.7 Million (Manchester City to Leicester City, 2017)
Kelechi Iheanacho burst onto the scene at Manchester City but saw limited opportunities under Pep Guardiola. Leicester City purchased him for €27.7 million in 2017.
His time at Leicester had ups and downs, but he played a crucial role in their 2021 FA Cup win, scoring important goals. That season was his best, finishing as Leicester’s top scorer. Iheanacho has scored for Nigeria in AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.
2. Alex Iwobi – €30.4 Million (Arsenal to Everton, 2019)
Alex Iwobi’s transfer to Everton in 2019 for €30.4 million surprised some. Having risen through Arsenal’s academy and won the FA Cup, Iwobi became part of Everton’s rebuilding efforts.
Though his start was rough, he became a key player, often deployed in deeper roles under Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche. He later joined Fulham, where he is a regular. With over 60 caps and goals at AFCON 2019, Iwobi is one of Nigeria’s most popular players online.
1. Victor Osimhen – €78.9 Million (Lille to Napoli, 2020)
Victor Osimhen tops this list by a large margin. Napoli paid €78.9 million in 2020 to sign him from Lille, setting records not just for Nigeria but for African football transfers.
Osimhen shone immediately. In 2022–23, he led Napoli to their first Serie A title in over three decades, finishing as the league’s top scorer. His goals, leadership, and resilience have made him a hero in Naples.
For Nigeria, he is the main striker, helping the Super Eagles qualify for major tournaments and posing constant threats to defenders. His rise from Lagos streets to European stardom is inspiring.
