All you need to know about the Nigerian and Super Eagles stars set to light up Europe's top five leagues as the new season kicks in.
Nigeria and the Super Eagles have long been a powerhouse in African football, consistently producing talented players who make their mark in Europe's top leagues.
As the beautiful game continues to evolve, a new generation of Nigerian stars is emerging, showcasing their skills and potential on some of the world's biggest stages.
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Here are 10 Nigerian and Super Eagles players in Europe's top 5 leagues to watch in the coming season.
10. Chrisantus Uche, LaLiga (Spain)
After the departure of Manchester United’s outcast Mason Greenwood, LaLIga outfit Getafe quickly switched attention to little-known Nigerian star Christantus Uche.
The 21-year-old has made a giant leap from Spain’s third division, the Hypermotion, to the LaLiga after an impressive campaign at AD Ceuta FC.
Uche has followed in the footsteps of another Super Eagles icon and his namesake, Ike Uche, and it would be interesting to see if he can match and even surpass the Nigerian icon.
9. Chidera Ejuke, LaLiga (Spain)
Widely regarded as the heir to Super Eagles Austin Jay Jay Okocha for his dribbling ability, Chidera Ejuke has returned to the big league.
Ejuke recently switched from former Belgian champions Royal Antwerp to Europa League giants Sevilla on a free transfer.
The 26-year-old has already settled to life in Seville and all eyes will be on him to see what he brings to the table for the club in the LaLiga.
8. Kelechi Iheanacho, LaLiga (Spain)
Another player in the Spanish top division is the senior man Kelechi Iheanacho who will play alongside compatriot Ejuke at Sevilla.
Like the next Jay Jay, Ejuke, Iheanacho is a new arrival at Sevilla, also a free agent after his contract with Premier League club Leicester City expires.
The senior man is another player with so much to prove having found game time difficult to come by last season with the Foxes in the Championship.
7. Wilfred Ndidi, Premier League (England)
It is only right that Iheanacho’s former clubmate and hype man, Wilfred Ndidi, followed next after playing a key role in Leicester’s promotion last season.
Unlike his compatriot, the senior man, Ndidi enjoyed arguably his best season in a long while but in a new role under now-departed manager Enzo Maresca.
With the Italian off to Chelsea now, it should be interesting to see what the Super Eagles midfielder will look like as Leicester look to reestablish themselves in the PL.
6. Alex Iwobi, Premier League (England)
The Nigerian playmaker Alex Iwobi seems one of the most prepared and sharpest Super Eagles players heading into the next season.
Iwobi has enjoyed a brilliant pre-season with his club side Fulham and is surely one of Nigeria’s biggest footballing exports in the world.
After a record-breaking campaign the last time, the 28-year-old will hope to continue from where he stopped and who says he can’t after his blistering form in pre-season?
5. Victor Boniface, Bundesliga (Germany)
One of Nigeria’s biggest hitters last season Victor Boniface enters the new season with just one prayer point or a wish, if you will, to stay fit.
Boniface’s move to one of Europe’s top five leagues last season proved to be an inspired one as he fired Bayer Leverkusen to a historic first-ever Bundesliga title, with the club achieving a domestic double too - unbeaten.
However, the 24-year-old endured an injury-blighted campaign which also cost him a place in Nigeria’s AFCON 2023 run to the final and his place in Bayer’s starting berth following his return during the run-in.
4. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Serie A (Italy)
With nine goals and four assists in 39 matches last season, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru announced his arrival in the Turkish Super Lig.
Dele-Bashiru made an impression at Hatayspor after leaving Sheffield Wednesday in his debut season which made Serie A giants SSC Lazio to come calling for his service.
Renowned for his impressive versatility, the 23-year-old is surely one Nigerian to look out for as he joins the legion of Super Eagles stars plying their trade in the Serie A.
3. Samuel Chukwueze, Serie A (Italy)
This is one Super Eagles star who endured a 2023/24 campaign to forget following his celebrated move from LaLiga side Villarreal to AC Milan.
Samuel Chukwueze was one of Nigeria’s best players in Europe during his time with the Yellow Submarines but failed to hit those heights in the Serie A for Milan.
However, he has looked renewed ahead of the new season with some impressive outings in pre-season. Samu looks motivated enough to outperform his debut season which saw him manage just one goal in the league for his new club.
2. Victor Osimhen, Serie A (Italy)
While his future at SSC Napoli remains cloudy following his decision to leave Naples after four brilliant years with the club, Victor Osimhen remains Nigeria’s main man in Europe.
17 goals across competitions for Napoli last season was highly the standard Osimhen has set for himself over the years and surely will be motivated to return to his level soon.
At the moment, the current African Player of the Year is looking to sort out his future which could see him swap the Italian Serie A for another of Europe’s top five leagues. Wherever he ends up, the 25-year-old is one to watch.
1. Ademola Lookman, Serie A (Italy)
Easily Nigeria and Super Eagles most improved player not just in Europe but also in the world after a magical season with Atalanta.
Ademola Lookman had a memorable campaign last season after leading his Italian club to a historic first European success, doing so by becoming the first man to score a hat-trick in a major European competition final.
Lookman was Pulse Sports 30’s Nigerian player of the year and is the leading candidate to replace Osimhen as Africa’s best. With the 2024/25 set for kick-off, the 26-year-old is Nigeria’s number one player to follow, starting with the UEFA Super Cup against Champions League winners Real Madrid.
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