Super Eagles: Ranking Nigeria’s Top 7 Most Expensive Football Transfers

Nigerian footballers have commanded some of the highest transfer fees worldwide, making their mark in top European clubs. Here we list the seven priciest Nigerian transfers ever, based on reported fees.

These significant deals highlight Nigeria’s football talent and the growing value of Super Eagles players internationally.

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

Awoniyi’s European journey was slow at first after joining Liverpool in 2015 but never playing due to work permit issues. Several loans followed until his breakthrough at Union Berlin, where his scoring and physical style stood out. Nottingham Forest, newly promoted to the Premier League in 2022, invested €20.5 million, their record signing then.

He rewarded them with crucial goals that helped Forest stay up and became a fan favourite, also representing Nigeria’s national team.

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

Moffi emerged as one of Nigeria’s exciting forwards, known for power and sharp finishing in France’s Ligue 1. After impressing at Lorient, OGC Nice signed him permanently for €22.5 million following a loan spell in 2023. This was among the largest deals in French football that year.

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

Ighalo was an early Nigerian star to move for big money to China during its football boom. After a strong stint at Watford in the Premier League, Chinese club Changchun Yatai paid €23.3 million for him in 2016, making him one of Africa’s highest-paid players then.

He later played for Shanghai Shenhua, Al Shabab, and had a notable loan at Manchester United in 2020. Ighalo also shone for Nigeria, topping AFCON 2019 scoring charts and helping them finish third.

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

Bassey’s standout season with Rangers, including reaching the Europa League final, led Ajax Amsterdam to sign him for €23 million in 2022. This made him Nigeria’s priciest defender ever. Though he faced early challenges, he found form and moved to Fulham in the Premier League, continuing to grow.

He remains a promising figure for the Super Eagles.

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

Iheanacho broke through at Manchester City but saw limited action under Pep Guardiola. In 2017, he transferred to Leicester City for €27.7 million. His career had ups and downs but he was key in Leicester’s 2021 FA Cup win, finishing that season as their top scorer.

He has also scored important goals for Nigeria in AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.

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

Iwobi’s move from Arsenal to Everton in 2019 for €30.4 million surprised many. A product of Arsenal’s academy and an FA Cup winner, he joined Everton during their rebuild phase. His start was unsteady but he matured into an important player, playing deeper roles under various managers.

Later moving to Fulham, he’s earned over 60 caps for Nigeria and scored in AFCON 2019. His skill and social media presence make him highly followed.

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

Victor Osimhen leads the list by a wide margin. Napoli paid €77.5 million to acquire him from Lille in 2020, setting records for both Nigeria and Africa.

Osimhen was instrumental in Napoli’s 2022–23 Serie A title, their first in over 30 years, finishing as the league’s top scorer. His leadership and goal-scoring prowess made him a hero in Naples.

For Nigeria, he is the main striker, aiding qualification to major tournaments and posing a constant threat to defenders. His rise from Lagos streets to Europe’s elite is inspiring.

All fees are based on Transfermarkt data.

• Taiwo Awoniyi: €20.5 million
• Terem Moffi: €22.5 million
• Odion Ighalo: €23.3 million
• Calvin Bassey: €23 million
• Kelechi Iheanacho: €27.7 million
• Alex Iwobi: €30.4 million
• Victor Osimhen: €78.9 million