Nigerian Footballers Making Waves in Europe
As the international break approaches, ten Nigerian players are attracting attention across Europe for their impressive performances. PETER AKINBO reports on the standout talents.
Calvin Bassey (Fulham)
Bassey has transitioned from a solid defender to a leader at Fulham, earning the captaincy under new coach Alvaro Arbeloa for the club’s first three league games. The 26-year-old has made 105 appearances for Fulham since his July 2023 signing, scoring four goals and assisting once. His driving run in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United led to Fulham’s opening goal.
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
Osimhen has made a remarkable start to the season, scoring six goals in his first four matches for Galatasaray, including a brace in a 4-0 victory over Erzurumspor. He sits at the top of the Turkish league scoring charts alongside Gift Orban.
Tolu Arokodare (Ajax)
Arokodare is revitalising his career at Ajax after a challenging spell at Wolves. He scored on his debut in July and found the net in his first two league starts, contributing five goals and two assists in just 355 minutes of play. Ajax has an option to make the loan move permanent.
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
After returning from loan at Fulham, Chukwueze has successfully reinvented himself as a right wing-back for Milan. He was Man of the Match in their opening weekend win against Torino, setting up one goal and creating four chances. He has three assists in his first four league matches.
Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint-Germain)
Ajibade, wearing the number 10 for PSG, has emerged as a key player. She scored in both the Women’s Champions League match against Oud-Heverlee Leuven and their league match against FC Fleury 91. She joined PSG from Atlético Madrid in August 2025.
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)
After nearly a year out of football, Aina returned to the Super Eagles in a recent match against Madagascar, showcasing a strong performance. This marked his first appearance since his injury in September 2025.
Godwin Obaje (Rangers)
Obaje hit a milestone by scoring his 100th goal in the Nigeria Premier Football League with an 11th-minute penalty against Warri Wolves. He becomes one of the few players to reach this mark in the last decade. The Rangers striker expressed pride in joining the league’s legends.
Gift Orban (Amedspor)
Orban has had a stellar start, scoring a hat-trick against Başakşehir to take his tally to seven goals in six matches, tying with Osimhen atop the scoring charts. He is on loan from Hoffenheim and looks set to make an impact at Amedspor.
Kelechi Iheanacho (Bursaspor)
Iheanacho has reignited his career in Turkey, netting 11 goals and two assists in nine appearances for Bursaspor. His scoring prowess earned him a recall to the Super Eagles after a 16-month absence.
Rafiu Durosinmi (Genk)
Durosinmi has made a strong impression since joining Genk, scoring five goals in his first six league games. He aims to reach at least 20 goals this season, following in the footsteps of previous Genk strikers.
These players are not only making headlines in their respective clubs but also keeping Nigeria’s footballing presence strong on the international stage.
