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The 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig season is set to be a thrilling one, with a host of talented Nigerian players ready to make their mark.
From established stars to promising youngsters, these 12 Nigerian stars are poised to light up the league with their skill, speed, and goal-scoring prowess.
Let's take a look at the Nigerian contingent set to make waves in Turkey.
Victor Osimhen
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After a transfer saga that dragged on for the entire summer, Osimhen finally chose his next destination, agreeing to join reigning Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray on a yearlong loan.
The Serie A golden boot winner will become the fifth Nigerian to play for Gala after Dominic Iorfa, Valentine Ozornwafor, Oghenekaro Peter Etebo, and Henry Onyekuru.
Based on pedigree, he is currently the biggest Nigerian player in the league as seen by the rapid increase in his social media followership, and will have all eyes on him ahead of a potential permanent move to bigger Euroopean clubs in January or next summer.
Bright Osayi-Samuel
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Osayi-Samuel joined Fenerbahce on a four-year deal beginning in July 2021 and made his debut in a 1–0 win over Çaykur Rizespor on 30 January 2021.
The right-back scored his first goal for the club three months later and has racked up 141 appearances till date, scoring six times and winning the Turkish Cup in 2022–23.
After narrowly losing the title to Galatasaray in the 2023-24 season, Fenerbahce club hired Jose Mourinho, who has been tasked with wrestling back the title.
The prospect of an Osimhen vs. Bright-Osayi title face-off will be mouthwatering for football-loving Nigerians.
Kenneth Omeruo
After several years on loan in different clubs within the Turkish Super Lig, the Africa Cup of Nations winner returned to Kasimpasa—one of the clubs he joined on loan—on a permanent basis in 2023.
The defender is one of Kasimpasa’s trusted defenders, and he will hope to help the club perform even better after a fifth-place finish in 2023-24.
Ibrahim Olawoyin
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After several years in the Nigerian Premier League, Olawoyin moved to Ankara Keçiörengücü from Rangers International of Enugu in August 2021.
Two seasons later, and after 51 appearances, he joined another Turkish side, Çaykur Rizespor, in January 2023.
The midfielder has been one of the club’s most important players, having been fielded 59 times already.
Babajide David Akintola
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Another Nigerian midfielder, Babajide David, initially went to the Super Lig on loan, joining Hatayspor from Danish side Midtjylland.
He went to the league permanently the following season, joining Adana Demirspor, where he was for three years before linking up with Olawoyin in 2024 at Çaykur Rizespor.
Anthony Nwakaeme
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The forward has had two spells in the Super Lig, both with Trabzonspor. He joined the club for the first time in August 2018.
He left after four years to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha, but he returned to the club in 2024.
Jonathan Okoronkwo
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The young striker joined the Nigerian contingent in the Turkish topflight in 2024. After four years across Bulgaria and Russia, he made the switch to Hatayspor in an €800,000 deal.
Though yet to break into the starting XI, the forward has been coming off the bench for the club.
Funsho Bamgboye
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The forward, who has represented Nigeria at the youth levels, is another one of the country’s contgient at Hatayspor.
He joined the club in 2024 on a free transfer and immediately broke into the starting XI.
Anthony Uzodimma
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Anthony Uzodimma joined Kayserispor in 2019, but the midfielder has gone on loan to Giresunspor and Keciorengucu since then.
His versatility allows him to play in various positions, making him an invaluable asset to the team.
Anthony Dennis
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Anthony Dennis is a young and promising Nigerian midfielder who joined Goztepe from HB Abuja in 2023.
He helped the club earn promotion to the Turkish Super Lig in the 2023-24 season and has since become a mainstay for the club in the top flight.
Godfrey Bitok Stephen
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A left-back by trade, Bitok Stephen has played across different leagues since 2019. However, he joined the Nigerian contingent in Turkey in 2024, signing for Gaziantep FK on a free transfer.
He has represented Nigeria at the under-23 level and will hope to finally spend more than one year at a club.
Gabriel Obekpa
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The left-footed midfielder joined Bodrum FK in 2024 for an undisclosed fee. Obekpa spent the 2023-24 season on loan across different clubs in the Serbian league.
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