January 2026 demonstrated that the winter transfer window has become a season of opportunity rather than caution for Nigerian football players.
Nigerian footballers were the focus of significant midseason transfers around Europe and beyond, with teams making significant investments in established Super Eagles players, up-and-coming internationals, and high-upside prospects.
The window demonstrated a rising belief in Nigerian talent at several levels of the international game, from high-profile moves in La Liga and Ligue 1 to calculated loans in England and Portugal.
While newer stars ventured boldly into top situations, some players obtained long-awaited big-money swaps, while others chased regular minutes to revitalize stalling campaigns. Even Super Eagles veterans and retirees were still valuable as teams looked for experience to stabilize their rosters.
Nigerian football players were the obvious winners when the global transfer window closed, changing their careers, boosting their stature, and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global transfer market.
The major transactions involving Nigerian players during the recently finished winter transfer window are broken down below.
ADEMOLA LOOKMAN (€35 million from Atletico Madrid to Atalanta)
Lookman’s rocky time in Italy ended well, as he raised his name even further with another impressive performance at AFCON 2025. For the 28-year-old, Atletico Madrid paid a fixed €35 million plus a further €5 million in add-ons. Lookman is the first Super Eagles player to don the team’s colors and just the second Nigerian to play for the Rojiblancos.
FRANK Onyeka
(Loan from Brentford to Coventry City)
Fans and commentators were taken aback by this unexpected Championship switch, but Onyeka might be crucial to Coventry City’s promotion campaign. For the first time in 25 years, the Sky Blues are attempting to rejoin the Premier League.
VICTOR MOSES (FC Kaysar, free transfer)
The 35-year-old winger has resumed his career with FC Kaysar in Kazakhstan after going seven months without a club. In an attempt to turn the ailing team into a title contender, the former Chelsea star signed a one-year contract.
William Troost-Ekong (undisclosed fee from Al-Kholood to Al-Ahli)
After defeating Al Jazira, the former Super Eagles captain made a surprising January swap and saw immediate success, winning the UAE-Qatar Super Cup. In the last phases of his career in the Middle East, Troost-Ekong is still doing well.
JOE ARIBO (Southampton loan to Leicester City)
The 27-year-old midfielder, who has struggled for playing time at Southampton this season, decided to head north. Aribo has the chance to regain his peak performance with the Championship transfer.
SADIQ UMAR (€5 million from Real Sociedad to Valencia)
With a permanent transfer to Valencia, a team where he had previously made an impression on loan, Sadiq finally ended his challenging time at Real Sociedad. The striker now has a new opportunity to turn his career around and win back the favor of national team selectors.
TEREM MOFFI (Loan from OGC Nice to FC Porto)
After a timely loan move to Porto, Moffi’s tense relationship with Nice supporters came to an end. The Nigerian attacker will join international teammate Zaidu Sanusi in Portugal as they pursue trophies.
RAFIU DUROSINMI ( €9 million from Viktoria Plzen to Pisa)
After completing the largest transfer of his career, the 23-year-old attacker has acclimated to Serie A life with ease. Durosinmi has scored one goal and provided an assist in three games since joining in early January.
NNADI TOCHUKWU
(€6 million from Zulte Waregem to Marseille)
Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 team includes the 22-year-old defensive midfielder, who is still on the rise. Considered Wilfred Ndidi’s ideal understudy, Nnadi’s transfer to Ligue 1 powerhouse Marseille represents a significant advancement.
SALIM FAGO LAWAL (€2.4 million from NK Istra to Viktoria Plzen)
Istra exceeded expectations in Croatia thanks to Lawal’s outstanding club play, which earned them an unexpected spot in the AFCON 2025 team. He was moved to Plzen and given the opportunity to play for the Super Eagles again after his seven goals and two assists helped the team finish in third place.
LEONARD NGENGE (Remo Stars to Leeds United; fee not revealed)
The 18-year-old rose quickly from the Nigeria Premier Football League to one of the most illustrious clubs in England. Despite having joined Leeds United’s academy, he has a clear route to the first team if he performs well.
CHIBUIKE NWAIWU ( €5.5 million from Wolfsberger to Trabzonspor)
After moving to Turkey in January, the 22-year-old center back has made three league games, demonstrating his rapid adjustment. Nwaiwu, an Austrian Cup winner and former Enyimba star, seems ready for more success.
PROSPER OBAH ( €4.5 million from LNZ Cherkasy to Shakhtar Donetsk)
Shakhtar Donetsk acted quickly after 17 games with eight goals and four assists. The 22-year-old forward, who is well-known for his quickness and skillful finishing, is anticipated to draw interest from Europe’s top players soon.
UCHENNA OGUNDU (€4.5 million from Alanyaspor to Augsburg)
Ogundu joined Augsburg after completing a transfer to the German Bundesliga in order to further establish his reputation at the elite level.
SULEMAN SANI (€5 million, trendin to RB Leipzig)
After making an impression in Slovakia, the highly regarded young player was able to land a major move to Bundesliga powerhouse RB Leipzig.
EMMANUEL DENNIS (free transfer to FC Brondby)
Dennis has resurrected his career at FC Brondby of the Danish Superliga after going months without a club.
EHIJE UKAKI (Sheffield United loan to Atromitos)
To obtain important first-team experience, the teenage attacker has been loaned to Atromitos of the Greek Super League.
EJIKE OPARA (Viktoria Guimaraes to Novi Pazar)
As Opara moves up to a more competitive level, he joined Vitória Guimarães by permanently moving from Serbia to Portugal.
