AFCON 2025
Nigerian footballers had a fair share of the headlines during the 2026 summer transfer window, with clubs across Europe’s top five leagues splashing significant money on Super Eagles talent. From a teenage winger breaking Swedish transfer records to established internationals switching leagues, the market for Nigerian players did not go under the radar. Here’s a look at the five most expensive Nigerian transfers of the window.
1. Zadok Yohanna — AIK to Brighton & Hove Albion (€28m)
Nineteen-year-old winger Zadok Yohanna tops the list after Brighton agreed a €28 million deal to sign him from Swedish side AIK. The dynamic dribbler’s explosive form in the Allsvenskan caught the eye of Premier League recruiters, and his move broke transfer benchmarks for Swedish football exports, becoming the most expensive Nigerian transfer of the summer.
2. Femi Azeez — Millwall to Brighton & Hove Albion (£15m)
Brighton doubled up on Nigerian talent, agreeing a deadline-day deal worth up to £15 million to sign winger Femi Azeez from Championship side Millwall. Azeez earned the move after a breakout 2025-26 campaign that yielded 11 goals and eight assists, and the fee represents a record sale for Millwall.
3. Akor Adams — Sevilla to Venezia (€16m)
Striker Akor Adams completed a permanent switch from Sevilla to newly promoted Serie A side Venezia in a deal worth an initial €16 million, with add-ons capable of pushing the total closer to €22 million. The 26-year-old arrives on the back of 10 league goals last season and becomes Venezia’s record signing.
4. Rafiu Durosinmi — Pisa to Genk (€10.5m)
Belgian side Genk paid €10.5 million, plus performance bonuses, to sign striker Rafiu Durosinmi from Italian club Pisa, making him Genk’s record signing. He has hit the ground running since arriving, scoring on his competitive debut against Zulte Waregem and following it up with goals in each of his next three Belgian Pro League outings, a run that has him chasing the division’s Golden Boot.
5. Raphael Onyedika — Club Brugge to Eintracht Frankfurt (€10m)
Midfielder Raphael Onyedika moved into the Bundesliga after four seasons in Belgium, with Eintracht Frankfurt paying around €10 million for his services. Frankfurt view the tenacious ball-winner as an ideal fit for their high-intensity pressing system in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Several other Nigerian internationals also switched clubs for smaller fees. Taiwo Awoniyi left Nottingham Forest for newly promoted Coventry City, reportedly for a fee in the region of £9 million, reuniting with compatriot Frank Onyeka, whose loan-to-permanent move to the same club was worth €7 million. Terem Moffi joined Bundesliga side Hamburg from Nice for around €2 million, while Kelechi Iheanacho left Celtic for Turkish club Bursaspor.
