Super 
Eagles Players Who Joined New Clubs This Summer 2026 – Full List
By Akin Alade
Nigeria’s Super Eagles stars have been prominent in the 2026 summer transfer market, with several internationals switching clubs across Europe in search of regular football, fresh challenges and stronger platforms ahead of another demanding international season.
From England and Germany to Italy and Turkey, Nigerian players have been on the move, reshaping their club careers while potentially strengthening competition for places in the Super Eagles.
Among the biggest moves is Taiwo Awoniyi’s transfer from Nottingham Forest to newly promoted Premier League side Coventry City, while Raphael Onyedika has taken his talents to the German Bundesliga and Kelechi Iheanacho has begun another chapter in Turkey.
Here are some of the Super Eagles players who have changed clubs this summer.
Taiwo Awoniyi — Nottingham Forest to Coventry City
Taiwo Awoniyi has ended his four-year association with Nottingham Forest after completing a permanent move to Frank Lampard’s Coventry City.
The Nigeria international joined Forest from Union Berlin in 2022 and went on to make more than 100 appearances across competitions. Coventry confirmed his arrival as part of an ambitious recruitment drive ahead of their return to the Premier League. Reports put the completed transfer fee at around £9 million, rather than the £17 million figure mentioned during earlier negotiations.
For Awoniyi, the switch represents an opportunity to secure more consistent first-team football after injuries and competition for places affected his final seasons at the City Ground.
His experience in the Premier League could also prove crucial for Lampard as Coventry attempt to establish themselves following promotion.
Interestingly, Awoniyi will not be the only Nigerian international at Coventry.
Frank Onyeka — Brentford to Coventry City
Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka has also completed a permanent move to Coventry City from Brentford.
Onyeka initially joined Coventry on loan in February 2026, with the agreement containing an obligation to make the transfer permanent if the Sky Blues secured promotion to the Premier League.
Coventry achieved that objective, triggering the permanent transfer. Brentford subsequently confirmed his departure for an undisclosed fee. Onyeka made 14 appearances and scored once during Coventry’s promotion-winning campaign.
His energy, tackling ability and Premier League experience could make him an important part of Lampard’s midfield.
The presence of both Onyeka and Awoniyi means Coventry could become one of the Premier League clubs Nigerian supporters will follow particularly closely during the 2026/27 campaign.
Kelechi Iheanacho — Celtic to Bursaspor
Kelechi Iheanacho has opened another chapter of his career after leaving Celtic for Turkish side Bursaspor.
The experienced Super Eagles attacker was part of the Celtic squad that enjoyed domestic success in Scotland last season, but he opted for a new adventure following the conclusion of his spell with the Glasgow club.
Bursaspor announced Iheanacho’s arrival in July as the Turkish club strengthened its squad in pursuit of further success following promotion to the country’s second tier.
Having previously represented Manchester City, Leicester City, Sevilla, Middlesbrough and Celtic, Iheanacho brings considerable experience to Turkey.
At 29, the forward will be hoping regular football and goals can keep him firmly in Nigeria’s international plans.
Akor Adams — Sevilla to Venezia
Akor Adams has returned to Italian football after completing a permanent transfer from Sevilla to Venezia.
Venezia officially announced the Nigerian striker’s arrival on July 22, confirming that Adams had signed a contract running until June 30, 2030.
The powerful forward departed Sevilla having registered 10 goals and four assists in 37 appearances across competitions.
Adams’ move provides another opportunity to establish himself as one of Nigeria’s leading centre-forwards.
His physical strength, movement and finishing ability give him qualities that could prove valuable both at club level and in the increasingly competitive Super Eagles attack.
Raphael Onyedika — Club Brugge to Eintracht Frankfurt
One of the most significant Nigerian transfers of the summer has seen Raphael Onyedika leave Club Brugge for Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt.
The German side officially confirmed the signing on August 2, with the 25-year-old Nigerian midfielder putting pen to paper on a contract until June 2031. He has been handed the No. 25 shirt.
Onyedika arrives in Germany with considerable European experience after becoming a central figure at Club Brugge.
He won two Belgian league titles as well as the Belgian Cup and Super Cup during his time with Brugge and accumulated significant UEFA Champions League experience.
The move also places Onyedika at a club with a special connection to Nigerian football history. Super Eagles legend Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha enjoyed a memorable spell with Eintracht Frankfurt during the 1990s.
Onyedika himself described Frankfurt as one of his dream clubs and said he wants to continue developing while helping the team compete for honours.
Gift Orban — Hoffenheim to Amedspor
Gift Orban has also moved to Turkey as he attempts to rediscover the explosive goalscoring form that first brought him widespread attention in European football.
Amedspor confirmed on July 28 that the Nigerian forward had joined from Hoffenheim on a one-year loan deal with an option to buy.
Orban has already experienced football in Norway, Belgium, France, Germany and Italy during a remarkably well-travelled career.
The Turkish move offers him another opportunity to rebuild momentum and demonstrate the finishing ability that once made him one of the most talked-about young Nigerian forwards in Europe.
Chidozie Awaziem — Nantes to Konyaspor
Experienced Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem has returned to Turkish football after completing a transfer from Nantes to Konyaspor.
Nantes confirmed on July 30 that an agreement had been reached with Konyaspor for the Nigerian centre-back.
Turkish Football Federation records show Awaziem’s Konyaspor contract running until June 30, 2028.
Turkey is familiar territory for the defender, who previously represented Çaykur Rizespor and Alanyaspor.
His experience across Portugal, France, Spain, Turkey, Croatia and Major League Soccer should provide Konyaspor with valuable defensive depth.
What the Transfers Mean for the Super Eagles
The movement of Nigerian internationals across Europe could have wider implications for the Super Eagles.
Regular playing time remains crucial for players hoping to retain their places in the national team, and several of these transfers appear designed to provide exactly that.
Awoniyi and Onyeka will have the opportunity to compete regularly in the Premier League with Coventry, while Onyedika’s move to Frankfurt places him in another highly competitive European environment.
Adams will seek to build on his goalscoring reputation in Italy, while Iheanacho, Orban and Awaziem will attempt to make strong impressions in Turkey.
The moves could consequently intensify competition within Nigeria’s squad, particularly in attack where several players are fighting for limited positions.
For Super Eagles supporters, the 2026/27 European season will therefore offer plenty to monitor as Nigeria’s stars begin new chapters across the continent.
