Ighalo, Maja, Kalu, others: Nigerian stars in January transfer magnetic frame
Transfer window ended at 11:59 pm on Monday, and it was quite a busy winter that involved some notable Nigerian players.
Players like Odion Ighalo, Samuel Kalu, Simy Nwankwo, youthful Paul Mukairu, Josh Maja, John Ogu, Ogenyi Onazi were all made it through to new clubs to continue the hustling and bustling business.
Super Eagles striker, Kingsley Eduwo left UAE side Al-Orooba for Tunisian giants Esperance on a free transfer. The former Lobi stars man spent just a year in UAE before returning to the continent, according to the soccernet report.
The 25-year-old has experience playing in the Tunisian league, and this will be his second stint with a North-Africans after leaving CS Sfaxien three years ago.
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Nigerian wonder-kid Akinkunmi Amok dumped Hammarby for Danish side FC Copenhagen. Amoo joins Nigerian forward Paul Mukairu, who just moved to the Danish side.
The 19-year-old was the second-best player in the Swedish Allsvenskan last season, and he would look to keep churning out brilliant displays to help his new employers.
🦅 حلّق يا نسر @ighalojude 😍💙#إيغالو_هلالي#الهلال pic.twitter.com/vp5mMxBUMH
— نادي الهلال السعودي (@Alhilal_FC) January 29, 2022
Eagles striker Odion Ighalo was also on the move in January, as he left the Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab for rivals Al Hilal.
The 32-year-old scored 13 goals in 19 appearances this season before Al Hilla snapped him for 2.9 million euros. Read more.
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Nigerian winger , Ahmad Ghali joined Czech Republic side Slovan Liberec from AS Trencin for an undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old, who is a product of MFM FC, moved to Slovakian side Trencin two years ago but has been on the periphery. Ghali can play from both left and right wings.
🇨🇿 Czech top flight side Slovan Liberec have signed 🇳🇬 Nigeria winger Ahmad Ghali to a two year deal from 🇸🇰 Slovakian side @astrencin pic.twitter.com/XoDvK6goUy
— Andrew Randa (@RandaAndrew) January 27, 2022
It was a massive step down for Super Eagles striker Simy Nwankwo, as he moved from Serie A strugglers Salernitana to Serie B strugglers Parma.
The Nigerian star arrived at Salernitana last summer, but he has struggled to cut it with his newly-promoted side. He scored just one goal in 19 appearances. Read more.
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Paul Mukairu left Antalyaspor for Danish side FC Copenhagen. The pacy winger joined Antalyaspor three years ago, and he steadily rose through the ranks. He also had a loan spell with Belgian side Anderlecht two seasons ago before returning to the Turkish side.
Copenhagen snapped up the 22-year-old for 1.9 million Euros. Read more.
Super Eagles forward Samuel Kalu will look to revive his career at Premier League side Watford. The Nigerian star had a tumultuous time at Bordeaux, as he was basically ostracised from the squad, even in cup games.
Kalu joined the Hornets for a 3 million euros fee, and he joins the long list of Nigerians at Vicarage road. Read more.
'Cos we've got Super Simy Nwankwo! 🔥#ForzaParma pic.twitter.com/qiW5kOqUJI
— Parma Calcio 1913 (@ParmaCalcio_en) January 31, 2022
Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi joined Saudi Arabia club Al-Adalah as a free agent after almost two months without a club.
The Nigerian star last played for Turkish side Denizlispor, but his stay was a protracted one, as he spent just three months at the side.
He would look to pick up the pieces of his career at his new side.
Swedish side Norrköpings added to their list of Nigerian stars after they secured the services of 26-year-old right-back Godswill Ekpolo.
Ekpolo joined as a free agent after his contract with BK Hacken expired. The 26-year-old is a Barcelona Academy graduate.
He joins 2021 Allsvenskan highest goalscorer Samuel Adegbenro at the club.
Two Nigerians were involved in a two-way deal. Nigerian forward Ubong Ekpai left Czech Republic champions Slavia Prague for Banik Ostrava on loan for the rest of the season as part of the agreement for Yira Sor to go the other way.
Hungarian giants Ferencvarosi have added Nigerian striker Fortune Bassey to their squad after a 1.5 million euros deal with Ceske Budejovice.
The 23-year-old was one of the deadliest strikers in the Czech 1. Liga, scoring nine goals, assisting one in 19 appearances this season.
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Midfielder Innocent Bonke missed out on the Nations Cup, but he secured a move to Lorient after four years at Malmo.
The Nigerian star refused to renew his contract with the Swedish champions, and he joined the Lorient on a free transfer.
He becomes the second Nigerian at the club after striker Terem Moffi. Read more.
Akinkunmi Amoo lämnar Hammarby för att fortsätta karriären i FC Köpenhamn. Den överenskommelse klubbarna träffat för övergången innebär att Hammarby gör den största försäljningen hittills i klubbens historia.#Bajen
— Hammarby Fotboll (@Hammarbyfotboll) January 31, 2022
Nigerian winger Viv Solomon-Otabor joined Ukrainian side Rukh Lviv on a free transfer.
The London-born winger has previously played at Birmingham, Bolton and Wigan. He was previously with Scottish side St. Johnstone before the expiration of his contract.
This will be the first time that the 26-year-old will play outside Great Britain.
✍️ L'Espérance recrute l'attaquant Kingslay Eduwo🇳🇬 qui jouait pour le club émirati d'Al Urooba (et CSS). Durée de l'engagement 2 ans et demi.
Bienvenue à toi Kingslay ! 🤝💐 pic.twitter.com/jOnQpnY5bi
— Espérance de Tunis ❤️💛 الترجي التونسي (@ESTuniscom) January 28, 2022
Nigerian midfielder James Igbekeme secured a season-long loan to USA side Columbus Crew from Real Zaragoza
The 26-year-old arrived at the Spanish Segunda division side in 2018, but he has failed to impress. He moves to the MLS in search of more game time.
Welcome once again, Paul Mukairu! 🦁✍🏿 #fcklive #sldk pic.twitter.com/VtYzJKzVmS
— F.C. København (@FCKobenhavn) January 27, 2022
Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu has joined Israeli side Hapoel Nor HaGail as a free agent.
The Nigerian star returns to football after months without a contract. His last contract was with Saudi Arabian side Al-Adalah.
Kalu is a Hornet! 🇳🇬🐝
✍️ The Nigeria international winger joins from Bordeaux on a deal until June 2025. @_AFEX
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) January 26, 2022
Super Eagles star, Josh Maja sealed a six-month loan deal to English Championship side Stoke City from Bordeaux.
"Jag kommer till IFK Norrköping på grund av föreningens ambitioner", säger Godswill Ekpolo.
Se intervjun med nyförvärvet nedan ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/CvTRGzVWML
— IFK Norrköping (@ifknorrkoping) December 29, 2021
The Nigerian striker was on loan at Fulham last season, but he was unable to help the cottagers preserve their Premier League status.
ثالث الصفقات الشتوية
لاعب خط الوسط النيجيري / اوجينيا اونازي#شتوية_العدالة pic.twitter.com/V41Xuqwic1— نـادي الــعـدالـة السعودي (@aladalahclub) January 18, 2022
This season, he has struggled to get playing time in the Ligue 1, making just four appearances for Bordeaux in all competitions.
The Nigerian star will spend the rest of the 2021/22 season with the Potters.