The January 2026 transfer window proved to be a busy period for Nigerian footballers, with players at all levels securing moves across Europe and beyond before the deadline eventually closed on 2 February.
From established internationals completing significant switches to some of Europe’s top clubs, to emerging talents earning Bundesliga and Premier League opportunities, Super Eagles stars were in heavy demand this winter.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the Nigerian players who made the move this winter and ranking the overall transfer:
Ademola Lookman – Atalanta to Atletico Madrid (£30.3m)
Rating: 9/10
Lookman’s move to Atletico Madrid was among the highest profile transfers in January, and with the Nigerian forward arriving in Spain in his peak years, this could prove to be a superb move for both club and player.
The forward offers a directness and proven end product that should help him flourish, while his work rate will also be appreciated under a Diego Simeone side, and with rumours that Julian Alvarez may leave in the summer, Lookman will be looking to step up as Atletico Madrid’s main man in the coming months.
Umar Sadiq – Real Sociedad to Valencia (£4.3m)
Rating: 6/10
Sadiq has struggled to make an impact for Real Sociedad, and a move to Valencia for a low fee may provide the perfect opportunity for the forward to reset and start fresh.
The forward has already scored for Valencia, netting one goal in his first five appearances for the club, and with Sadiq likely to be an impact player from the bench, the striker will be hoping to impress in the late stages of games and prove his ability in front of goal.
Terem Moffi – OGC Nice to Porto (loan)
Rating: 8/10
Moffi has been plagued by injuries in the last season and a half at Nice, making just 20 appearances over the last two campaigns, scoring only four goals during that period.
A loan move to Portugal’s dominant side this season, Porto, gives Moffi the chance to start over in a new environment and try to rediscover the form that saw him score 21 goals in 2022/23 and 11 goals in 2023/24.
Rafiu Durosinmi – Viktoria Plzen to Pisa (£7.8m)
Rating: 8/10
Durosinmi has proven his goalscoring ability at Viktoria Plzen in recent years, including scoring 11 goals in 27 games for the club this season – featuring goals in the Europa League and Champions League – before making the move to Pisa.
The forward’s attacking ability has already been seen in Italy, scoring one and assisting one in three appearances for his new club, and with the striker’s physical presence and smart attacking intelligence, Durosinmi has all the qualities to be a stunning signing for Pisa.
Tochukwu Nnadi – Zulte Waregem to Marseille (£5.2m)
Rating: 6/10
Nnadi’s impressive performances for Zulte Waregem in Belgium earned him a high-profile move to Marseille during January, and if the club can continue helping the midfielder develop at the same rate seen during his time in Belgium, then Nnadi could prove to be a clever signing for such a low fee.
Sani Suleiman – AS Trencin to RB Leipzig (£4.3m)
Rating: 5/10
Nineteen-year-old Suleiman has become the latest in a long line of young prospects to join RB Leipzig, and while patience must be shown for the forward to develop, the young Nigerian has shown plenty of potential in his short career.
If Leipzig can help Suleiman develop in the same way as the youngsters that have come before him at the club, then the forward could progress into one of the most exciting young players in Europe.
Frank Onyeka – Brentford to Coventry City (loan)
Rating: 9/10
Onyeka has struggled for consistent Premier League minutes in recent years for Brentford, and the midfielder has made the move for more regular playing time during January, joining Coventry City in the Championship.
Linking up with legendary midfielder and now manager Frank Lampard, Onyeka will look to bring Coventry City the experience and quality needed to help get them over the line in the Championship and secure their place in the Premier League for next season.
An upside for both club and player is that this deal is initially just a loan move, while a buy clause is included if Coventry City are promoted this term, giving both player and club the incentive to perform and secure promotion to make this deal permanent.
