The 2026 January window saw a flurry of activity for Nigerian footballers across Europe and beyond, with Super Eagles stars, emerging talents and experienced veterans all securing important mid season moves.
From big money transfers in La Liga and Ligue 1 to strategic loans in England, Germany and Portugal, Nigerian players used the window to seek bigger stages, revive stagnating careers or take bold first steps into elite environments. Below is a rundown of key deals involving Nigerian footballers.
Ademola Lookman completed a headline €35 million move from Atalanta to Atletico Madrid, with a further €5 million in add ons, becoming only the second Nigerian to play for the Rojiblancos. Terem Moffi left Nice for FC Porto on loan, with an option to buy, to rebuild his form in Portugal.
In England, Frank Onyeka joined Coventry City on loan from Brentford to aid their promotion push, while Joe Aribo moved on loan from Southampton to Leicester City in search of regular minutes. Youngster Leonard Ngenge made a leap from Remo Stars to Leeds United’s academy, with a clear pathway towards first team football if he impresses.
Several Nigerians changed clubs on the continent. Sadiq Umar swapped Real Sociedad for Valencia in a €5 million deal, Rafiu Durosinmi moved from Viktoria Plzen to Pisa for €9 million, Tochukwu Nnadi left Zulte Waregem for Marseille in a €6 million transfer, and Salim Fago Lawal joined Viktoria Plzen from NK Istra for €2.4 million after a standout spell in Croatia.
Defender Chibuike Nwaiwu switched from Wolfsberger to Trabzonspor for €5.5 million, Prosper Obah moved from LNZ Cherkasy to Shakhtar Donetsk in a €4.5 million deal, Uchenna Ogundu transferred from Alanyaspor to Augsburg for €4.5 million and Suleman Sani earned a €5 million move from Trencin to RB Leipzig.
Veteran winger Victor Moses resumed his career with a free transfer to FC Kaysar in Kazakhstan, while former Super Eagles captain William Troost Ekong left Al Kholood for Al Ahli for an undisclosed fee, quickly lifting the UAE–Qatar Super Cup. Emmanuel Dennis also returned to club football, signing for Danish side FC Brondby on a free.
There were also important steps for younger and fringe players. Ehije Ukaki joined Atromitos on loan from Sheffield United, while Ejike Opara sealed a permanent move from Novi Pazar to Vitória Guimarães in Portugal. Collectively, these moves underline the growing demand for Nigerian talent and the diverse routes players are using to climb the European and global football ladder.
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