Nigerians on the Move: All the record-breaking Nigerian transfers you have missed

Without batting an eyelid, the 2022 summer transfer window can be safely called a “summer of redemption” for Nigerians plying their trade in Europe.

Going by the recent transfers of Nigerians across Europe, there has been little to cheer for sports lovers overall. With the exception of Victor Osimhen’s transfer to Napoli, the last five transfer windows, to say the least, have given prominence to the “downward sloping curve theory” propagated by the economist.

The 2022 summer window appeared to follow the old sick pattern until Taiwo Awoniyi made his record-breaking move. A move a few would actually bet on appeared to be the lift most Nigerian players would need.

From Carney Chukwuemeka to Taiwo Awoniyi, we will be running through a list of record-breaking Nigerian transfers you may have missed.

• Taiwo Awoniyi

After a stellar 21/22 season with Union Berlin, the former Liverpool forward secured a shocking move to Premier League new boys Nottingham Forest. A record-breaking £21 million transfer fee for Taiwo Awoniyi was deemed necessary by Steve Cooper’s side, due to the amazing goal return he recorded in Germany last season.

The 2013 U-17 FIFA World cup winner had a career-high 20-goals return in 43 appearances for Union Berlin.

Though his debut against Newcastle United may have ended in defeat, the 25 years old forward, showed promising signs for the Premier League new boys.

• Calvin Bassey

After making a name for himself in last season’s UEFA Europa League, there were talks and thoughts if Glasgow Rangers could keep the versatile young defender. Those talks eventually materialized, as the young Nigerian was snapped off Rangers by Dutch giants Ajax in a deal in the region of €23 million. This deal remains the highest sale in the Scottish club’s history.

• David Okereke

 Italian Serie A new boys U.S. Cremonese announced the signing of Venezia’s talismanic forward David Okereke in a deal worth €10 million, which remains a club record. So far the union between Okereke and Cremonese has since appeared to be a match made in heaven, as David Okereke has since scored in every game he has featured for the Serie A newbies. His stellar form has further seen Cremonese strengthen their attack line with another Nigerian, Cyriel Dessers. 

• Carney Chukwuemeka

In what was a shocking transfer, the Nigerian-born English midfielder joined Chelsea from Premier League side Aston Villa in a deal in the region of £18 million. This deal stands as the most expensive deal Chelsea has completed for a Nigerian-born talent, eclipsing the £4.5 million paid for Victor Moses.

Nigerians hope the youngster who currently represents the Young Lions of England will someday follow in the footsteps of Victor Moses and don the green and white of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

With the transfer window very much open, quite a lot of moves are expected to be completed by Nigerian players, and punters all over the globe are hoping to predict the potential clubs their favorite players will be joining before the close of the transfer window on bet sites like betBonanza.