Transfer Deadline: Details of Nigerian players’ summer moves to European clubs

The 2025 summer transfer window for Europe’s best five leagues (EPL, Serie A, LaLiga, Bundesliga and Ligue 1) shut down on Monday night.

DAILY POST reports that the window has been open since June 16, 2025.

Some Nigerian players joined new clubs during the summer window, especially on transfer deadline day.

Others remained with their current clubs after missing out on a move to new clubs before the transfer deadline on Monday night.

DAILY POST takes a look at some of the Nigerian players who have successfully joined new clubs.

Also, some players failed to secure a move away from their present teams following the summer transfer window deadline day.

Samuel Chukwueze

Chukwueze secured a deadline day transfer move to Premier League club Fulham.

The winger, who was handed the number 19 shirt at Fulham, left Serie A side AC Milan to complete a season-long loan.

The 26-year-old joins a squad in Fulham which already has his Super Eagles team-mates, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.

Victor Boniface

Boniface left Bayer Leverkusen to join Werder Bremen on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day.

The Nigerian striker signed a contract until June 2026 with the German Bundesliga club.

Boniface’s wages will be covered by both clubs.

Tolu Arokodare

Wolves announced the signing of Arokodare from Belgian Pro League club KRC Genk on transfer deadline day.

The 24-year-old striker signed a four-year contract with the Premier League club with an option of an additional year.

Arokodare joined Wolves after an impressive outing for Genk last season, finishing as top scorer in the Belgian top-flight with 21 goals.

Wilfred Ndidi

Ndidi joined Turkish Super Lig club, Besiktas from Leicester City earlier in the summer transfer window.

The Nigerian midfielder joined the Turkish club on a three-year contract in August.

The 28-year-old was linked to several clubs in Europe but opted for a move to Besiktas.

Victor Osimhen

Osimhen joined Galatasaray on a four-year deal from Napoli earlier this summer after the Turkish Super Lig champions decided to pay his €75m release clause.

Osimhen, who will earn a guaranteed €15m salary annually, has already scored two goals for Galatasaray this season.

The Nigerian netted 37 goals in all competitions for Galatasaray last term.

Moses Simon

Simon completed a move to French Ligue 1 club, Paris FC earlier this summer.

The 29-year-old joined Paris FC from Nantes on a three-year contract, in a deal worth €7million.

The winger recorded eight goals and 10 assists in 32 league matches for Nantes last season.

Frank Onyeka

Crystal Palace were interested in the Brentford midfielder earlier in the summer transfer windows.

The 27-year-old was one of Crystal Palace’s priority targets for the summer.

However, Onyeka ended up remaining at Brentford beyond this summer transfer window.

Kelechi Iheanacho

The Sevilla striker came close to joining Turkish Super Lig club Samsunspor earlier this summer.

It was reported that the former Manchester City star had agreed to join Samsunspor on a permanent transfer.

However, the former Leicester City player ended up not moving to Turkey.

Speaking with DAILY POST on Monday, Audu Ojo, the head coach of FC Dawaki Rangers, expressed happiness for the Super Eagles players who secured transfer to new clubs on deadline day.

He also encouraged those who failed to leave their current clubs this window to continue to work harder ahead of the January transfer window in 2026.

“It is encouraging to see that some Nigerian players have secured transfer moves to clubs where they can possibly enjoy more playing opportunities,” Ojo said.

“With the FIFA World Cup qualifiers approaching next week, it is important for these players to be in top form for Nigeria when they face Rwanda and South Africa this month.

“I am delighted for those who have made transfers, like Chukwueze and Boniface. As you know both players dropped form towards the end of last season at Bayer Leverkusen and Milan.

“So, I am pleased for them and hopefully they will get the opportunity to play regularly every week.

“As for those Nigerian players who were unable to secure a transfer this summer, my advice to them is to work harder and stay fit, you never can tell because the January transfer window is just around the corner and they can get a move next year,” he said.