NIGERIA'S FOOTBALL TALENTS IN EUROPE: Top 10 Male Players Making Waves Abroad

In the initial segment of this series, ABIODUN ADEWALE spotlights the exceptional talents amongst Nigerian footballers in the recently concluded 2024/25 season across European leagues

Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)

Last season, Osimhen achieved personal milestones and benefited his team collectively, leading Galatasaray to secure both a league and cup double with an impressive tally of 37 goals and eight assists in 41 matches overall.

At the beginning of his career this year, the player, who is 26 years old, faced a difficult time as he was not included in Napoli’s new plan under coach Antonio Conte. Additionally, he experienced unsuccessful transfers to both Chelsea and Al-Hilal during the summer.

It appeared that he might remain without a team until at least January 2025. However, Galatasaray brought him in on loan, which turned out to be a brilliant move. This decision guided them to secure their 25th Super Lig championship along with their 19th victory in the Turkish Cup.

During this time, he set the record as the top-scoring foreign player in both the club's and Turkish football history for a single season after surpassing Mario Jardel’s tally of 34 goals.

Despite Galatasaray’s limited progress in European competitions, Osimhen managed to score six goals in seven matches, tying for second place among top goal scorers in the tournament during the previous season.

Tolu Arokodare (Genk)

During his second full season with Genk in Belgium, Arokodare escalated from being valued at €500,000 to an impressive €13 million due to his significant impact on the team within the Jupiler Pro League.

The young man, just 24 years old, concluded an impressive season in Belgium with 23 goals and seven assists across 45 matches played. His outstanding performance earned him both the title of top scorer in the Jupiler Pro League and recognition as the finest African player in Belgium, securing for himself the Ebony Shoe accolade.

He became one of Europe’s most prominent forwards due to his influence, excelling in Belgium’s top division and receiving significant personal accolades. This success has landed him on the radar for potential summer transfers involving clubs such as Bayern Munich, Benfica, Besiktas, and several teams from England's Premier League.

Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos)

Transferring teams during the season might either elevate or jeopardize a player's career trajectory. In Onyemachi’s instance, his move from Portuguese club Boavista to Greek powerhouse Olympiakos transformed him from an essential player into a standout figure.

He integrated well with the Greek club, contributing to their success as they won both the league and cup, appearing in 12 matches altogether. Prior to joining this team in January, he played 18 times for Boavista, netting three goals along with providing one assist across 18 league fixtures.

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)

We can confidently state that Lookman secured his position as the 2024 African Footballer of the Year contender with a groundbreaking hat-trick during the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League final match for Atalanta in May.

After accomplishing that task, he had to demonstrate his capabilities once more, and when the new season began in August 2024, he did not let anyone down.

In 31 league matches, he tallied 15 goals along with five assists, and in the UEFA Champions League, he added another five goals and two assists.

Lookman's input was the most significant in a solitary season.

Alex Iwobi (Fulham)

The 2024-25 campaign stands out as Iwobi’s finest in the English Premier League so far, raising questions about when he might sustain this level of performance for his team.

Iwobi concluded his season with nine goals and six assists, making him Fulham’s second-highest goal scorer after Raul Jimenez (12).

Prior to this season, his highest goal tally stood from the previous term when he joined Fulham during the summer of 2023, netting five times.

When it comes to assists, his highest number was at Everton during the 2022/23 season with a total of seven.

Iwoni also created history by becoming the first Nigerian player to feature in every one of the 38 match days across two consecutive seasons in the Premier League. This achievement was reached when he came on for Harry Wilson during Fulham’s home defeat against Manchester City on the last day of the 2024/25 season.

The midfielder accomplished this for the first time during the 2022/23 season.

Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)

During his time with Forest in the EPL, Aina enjoyed an unforgettable season where he played a pivotal part in their remarkable European-chasing run. Apart from missing just three league matches because of injuries, he took to the field 35 times, netting two goals along with providing one assist, which aided the club ultimately securing the seventh position.

In March, Aina stood out as the top ball-winner in defensive zones throughout Europe’s leading five leagues, based on data provided by WhoScored.

Cyriel Dessers (Rangers)

The 30-year-old had a productive season with Scottish Premiership heavyweights Glasgow Rangers, even as they faced relentless criticism from the team's fans.

Dessers concluded his season as the leading marksman of the league, scoring 18 goals and contributing two assists across 35 matches played.

He recorded 29 goals and seven assists in 55 matches overall for the Light Blues.

Igbho Ogbu (Slavia Prague)

A previous member of the Flying Eagles squad, Igoh was instrumental in Slavia Prague’s championship run. The 25-year-old appeared in 25 league matches for the club, netting two goals and contributing one assist.

After an impressive season with Slavia Prague, the center-back received a call-up to the Super Eagles squad and played a key role as Nigeria won the Unity Cup in London.

Chrisantus Uche (Getafe)

During his debut season in Spain’s top division, Uche excelled with Getafe and became recognized as one of the most outstanding Nigerian midfielders playing overseas. Last summer, he transferred from the Segunda División team AD Ceuta FC to the La Liga club Getafe. The 22-year-old contributed significantly, scoring four goals and providing six assists across 33 league matches for José Bordalás' squad, which also led to him securing a spot on the national team, the Super Eagles.

He also secured the victory with the decisive penalty during the 5-4 shootout triumph against Ghana in the Unity Cup.

Moses Simon (Nantes)

Regardless of how disappointing the season may be for Nantes, Simon continues to excel effortlessly.

There is no doubt that Simon was the star of the team, contributing significantly with eight goals and ten assists, which helped Nantes avoid relegation by a margin of three points.

His involvement in scoring 18 out of the team's total 39 goals this season accounts for nearly half of them.

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