Super Eagles: Ranking the 7 Priciest Nigerian Football Transfers Ever

Super Eagles: Ranking the 7 Priciest Nigerian Football Transfers Ever

Nigerian footballers have commanded some hefty sums over the years, moving to major European clubs and making headlines. Here’s a list of the seven most expensive Nigerian transfers, based on reported fees.

These transfers showcase the talent Nigeria keeps producing and how valuable the Super Eagles players have become internationally.

7. Taiwo Awoniyi – €20.5 Million (Union Berlin to Nottingham Forest, 2022)

Awoniyi's path to success in Europe was long and winding. After joining Liverpool as a teen in 2015, he never got to play competitively due to work permit problems and spent time on loan elsewhere. Things changed at Union Berlin where his goal-scoring and physical play grabbed attention. Nottingham Forest, newly promoted to the Premier League in 2022, paid €20.5 million for him, their priciest signing then. He rewarded them with important goals that helped Forest avoid relegation and became a fan favorite while also representing the Super Eagles.

6. Terem Moffi – €22.5 Million (Lorient to Nice, 2023)

Moffi is one of Nigeria’s most thrilling strikers lately, known for power and clinical finishing. At Lorient, he scored regularly in Ligue 1, establishing himself among the top scorers. OGC Nice made his move permanent in 2023 for €22.5 million after an initial loan, marking one of the biggest transfers in French football that year.

5. Odion Ighalo – €23.3 Million (Watford to Changchun Yatai, 2016)

Ighalo was among the first Nigerians to make a big-money move to China during its football boom. After prolific scoring for Watford in the Premier League, Chinese club Changchun Yatai paid €23.3 million in 2016. This made him one of Africa’s highest-paid players at the time. He later featured for Shanghai Shenhua, Al Shabab, and had a notable loan spell at Manchester United in 2020. Ighalo shone for the Super Eagles too, topping the scoring charts at AFCON 2019, helping Nigeria finish third.

4. Calvin Bassey – €23 Million (Rangers to Ajax, 2022)

Bassey broke through in 2021-22, playing a key role as Rangers reached the UEFA Europa League final with his strong defensive displays. His ability to cover centre-back and left-back made him valuable. Ajax signed him in 2022 for €23 million, making him the priciest Nigerian defender ever. Though he struggled initially, Bassey found his form and later transferred to Fulham, continuing his development. He remains part of Nigeria’s future plans.

3. Kelechi Iheanacho – €27.7 Million (Manchester City to Leicester City, 2017)

Iheanacho emerged as a bright young talent at Manchester City but saw limited minutes under Pep Guardiola. In 2017, Leicester City paid €27.7 million to sign him. His time there had highs and lows but he played a big part in Leicester’s 2021 FA Cup win, scoring crucial goals leading up to the final. That season was his peak, ending as Leicester’s top scorer. Iheanacho also regularly scores for the Super Eagles in AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.

2. Alex Iwobi – €30.4 Million (Arsenal to Everton, 2019)

Iwobi’s transfer from Arsenal to Everton in 2019 for €30.4 million surprised many. A product of Arsenal’s academy and FA Cup winner, his move came during Everton’s rebuilding phase. After a slow start, he grew into an important squad member, often deployed deeper under Lampard and Dyche. Iwobi later joined Fulham and became a regular starter. With over 60 caps, he scored at AFCON 2019 and remains popular online due to his skill and social media presence.

1. Victor Osimhen – €78.9 Million (Lille to Napoli, 2020)

Victor Osimhen stands far above the rest. Napoli paid €77.5 million to acquire him from Lille in 2020, setting the record not only for Nigeria but also for Africa’s most expensive football transfer. Osimhen delivered spectacularly, leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in over three decades during the 2022–23 season and finishing as the league’s top scorer. His leadership and fighting spirit turned him into a hero in Naples. For Nigeria, he remains the main striker, helping the Super Eagles qualify for major tournaments and terrorizing defenders worldwide. From Lagos streets to European star, his story inspires many.

• Note: All fees are sourced from Transfermarkt.