Top 25 Nigerian Transfers of Summer 2026: Zadok Yohanna Leads Star-Studded List
Zadok Yohanna headlines a remarkable summer of movement for Nigerian footballers, with the Brighton-bound youngster joined by Chuba Akpom, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare and Taiwo Awoniyi among the biggest names changing clubs.
The 2026 summer transfer window has come to a close, leaving Nigerian football with another impressive collection of moves across some of Europe’s biggest leagues.
From the Premier League to the Bundesliga, Serie A, Eredivisie, Belgian First Division and Turkish Süper Lig, Nigerian players were once again in demand, with a mixture of established internationals and emerging talents securing new challenges.
Leading the list is Zadok Yohanna, whose move from Swedish club AIK to Brighton & Hove Albion has emerged as the standout Nigerian transfer of the window.
The teenage attacker reportedly joined the Premier League club for an initial €28 million, with a further €2 million in potential add-ons, although Brighton did not officially disclose the financial terms of the agreement.
Yohanna’s transfer underlines the growing European interest in young Nigerian talent and could represent one of the most significant moves of his generation.
Top 25 Nigerian Transfers of Summer 2026
Zadok Yohanna — AIK to Brighton & Hove Albion
Reported fee: €28m + €2m add-ons
The teenage forward completed a major move to the Premier League after an impressive breakthrough campaign in Sweden. Brighton have committed to a long-term project with the Nigerian, handing him a five-year contract.
Tolu Arokodare — Genk to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Reported fee: £24m
Arokodare’s prolific spell in Belgium earned him a move to the Premier League, where Wolves secured the Nigerian striker as part of their attacking rebuild.
Akor Adams — Sevilla to Venezia
Reported fee: €16m + €4m bonuses
Adams completed a permanent move to Venezia, signing a contract through 2030.
The deal represents a major investment in the Nigerian forward.
Femi Azeez — Millwall to Brighton & Hove Albion
Reported fee: £17.5m+
After an outstanding campaign in the Championship, Azeez earned his opportunity in the Premier League, joining Brighton on a significant permanent deal.
Taiwo Awoniyi — Nottingham Forest to Coventry City
Reported fee: £17m
Awoniyi left Nottingham Forest after several seasons at the City Ground to join Coventry City, who strengthened their squad following promotion to the Premier League.
Rafiu Durosinmi — Pisa to Genk
Reported fee: €10.5m
The Nigerian striker’s move to Genk continues the country’s strong connection with Belgian football, with the club investing heavily in his attacking potential.
Raphael Onyedika — Club Brugge to Eintracht Frankfurt
Reported fee: €9m
Onyedika moved to the Bundesliga after establishing himself as an important midfielder at Club Brugge.
Chuba Akpom — Ajax to Ipswich Town
Reported fee: Reported permanent transfer
Akpom completed a permanent move to Ipswich Town after the English club activated its purchase option.
The experienced striker will now continue his career in the Premier League after previously featuring for Ajax and several English clubs.
Cyriel Dessers — Rangers to Panathinaikos
Reported fee: €5m
Dessers left Rangers for Greek giants Panathinaikos, bringing his spell in Scottish football to an end.
Yira Sor — Genk to Amedspor
Reported fee: €3m
The Nigerian winger made a permanent switch to Turkish club Amedspor, where he will continue his career alongside fellow Nigerian Gift Orban.
Terem Moffi — Nice to Hamburger SV
Reported fee: €2m + €500,000 potential add-ons
Moffi moved to Germany in search of regular football and an opportunity to rediscover the form that previously made him one of Ligue 1’s most dangerous forwards.
Frank Onyeka — Brentford to Coventry City
Onyeka reunited with English football after leaving Brentford for Coventry City on a permanent deal.
The combative midfielder brings Premier League experience to Coventry’s squad.
Chidozie Awaziem — Nantes to Konyaspor
The experienced Super Eagles defender returned to Turkey after leaving Nantes, signing a two-year deal with Konyaspor.
Kelechi Iheanacho — Celtic to Bursaspor
Iheanacho moved to Turkey following his short spell with Celtic.
The former Manchester City and Leicester City forward will be hoping the new environment provides the platform for a career revival.
Leon Balogun — Aris Limassol to ETO Győr
The veteran defender continued his extensive European career with a move from Cyprus to Hungary.
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro — Inter Milan to Monza
The highly rated midfielder joined Monza on loan as he seeks more regular first-team football and continued development in Serie A.
Gift Orban — Hoffenheim to Amedspor
Orban joined Amedspor on loan after spending the second half of the previous campaign with Hellas Verona.
The move gives the former Gent star another opportunity to regain his scoring touch.
Musa Maliq — Ikorodu City to Zulte Waregem
One of the most intriguing transfers involving a young Nigerian, Musa Maliq moved from NPFL club Ikorodu City to Belgian side Zulte Waregem.
The teenager initially joined the club’s development setup as he begins his adaptation to European football, with his move regarded as another pathway for young Nigerian players from the domestic league to Europe.
Rofiat Imuran –
London City Lionesses to Aston Villa Women
The Super Falcons defender secured a move to Aston Villa Women, giving her an opportunity to compete regularly in England’s Women’s Super League.
Oluwatosin Demehin Galatasaray Women to Benfica Women
Demehin moved to Portuguese giants Benfica after her spell in Turkey, taking another step in her development at one of Europe’s established women’s clubs.
Toni Payne — Everton Women to Inter Milan Women
The versatile Super Falcons star left England for Italy, joining Inter Milan Women on a free transfer.
Olisa Ndah — South Africa to Al Shomooa
Ndah ended his spell in South African football to take up a new challenge with Libyan club Al Shomooa.
Kevin Akpoguma — Hoffenheim to Frosinone
The experienced Nigerian-German defender left Hoffenheim after several seasons in Germany and moved to Italy.
Suleiman Sani — RB Leipzig to Al Qadsiah
The Nigerian youngster moved to Saudi Arabia in a permanent transfer as clubs in the Gulf continue to attract emerging European-based talent.
Joseph Arumala also moved to six times Egyptian Cup Champions, Al Ittihad SC of Egypt from Ikorodu City FC.
A Window of Opportunity for Nigerian Football
The breadth of the 2026 summer transfer activity offers another encouraging sign for Nigerian football.
The country’s established internationals continued to command attention, while younger players such as Yohanna and Musa Maliq demonstrated that European clubs remain willing to invest in Nigerian prospects.
The Premier League provided some of the biggest headlines, with Yohanna, Azeez, Arokodare and Awoniyi all involved in major moves.
Elsewhere, Adams and Onyedika strengthened Nigerian representation in Italy and Germany, while the Turkish market remained an important destination for Nigerian players.
The women’s game also recorded significant movement, with Imuran, Demehin and Payne securing new opportunities across Europe’s leading competitions.
With the transfer window now closed, the real test begins.
For the players, the challenge is to justify the faith placed in them, establish themselves in their new environments and turn high-profile transfers into sustained performances.
For Nigerian football, another generation is on the move—and the 2026/27 season will reveal which of these transfers becomes the next major success story.
