The January transfer window has been eventful, with several players switching clubs—and Nigerian players have been a big part of the action.
From Gift Orban, who was eager to leave Olympique Lyon, to Victor Boniface, who was close to a big money move to Saudi Aabia with Al Nassr before the deal fell through, here are our top five Nigerian transfers this January:
Gift Orban (Lyon to Hoffenheim)
Gift Orban’s departure from Lyon was inevitable, given his struggles with form, disciplinary issues, and the club’s financial troubles. When Lyon received a provisional relegation to Ligue 2, they needed to sell players to stabilize their finances.
Several clubs, including Trabzonspor, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş, showed interest, while Bundesliga sides Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and VfB Stuttgart also monitored him. Ultimately, Hoffenheim won the race, signing Orban for €9 million plus €3 million in performance-based add-ons.
More Read
Akor Adams (Montpellier to Sevilla)
Akor Adams’ move may have surprised many, but it’s one Nigerians are excited about. After a season and a half at Montpellier, where he scored 13 goals and provided five assists in 49 games, he decided to take on a new challenge.
The 25-year-old completed a €5.5 million transfer to Sevilla, where he joins fellow Nigerians Chidera Ejuke and Kelechi Iheanacho—though Iheanacho’s future remains uncertain following Adams’ arrival.
Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista to Olympiacos)
Super Eagles left-back Bruno Onyemaechi secured a major move from Portuguese side Boavista to Greek giants Olympiacos, the reigning UEFA Europa Conference League champions.
Onyemaechi signed a three-year deal worth €2.5 million and will stay at the club until June 2028. He had been on Trabzonspor’s radar, but the Turkish club was unwilling to match Boavista’s valuation.
Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow to Al Ittihad)
Super Falcons forward Francisca Ordega joined Saudi Women’s Pro League side Al Ittihad on a two-and-a-half-year deal after leaving Russian club CSKA Moscow in January.
Her signing is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the team. Ordega joins her Super Falcons teammate Ashleigh Plumptre, who moved to Al Ittihad from Leicester City in 2023.
Daniel Daga (Enyimba to Molde FK)
One of the most exciting transfers for Nigerian football fans, 18-year-old Daniel Daga completed a move to Norwegian side Molde FK.
Daga, who spent last season on loan at Enyimba in the Nigeria Premier Football League, became a fan favorite due to his work ethic. He signed a two-year deal with Molde, becoming the club’s first signing of 2025. After an impressive spell in the NPFL, he will now look to make his mark in Europe.
© Bold Media Innovations & Creative Hub Limited. All rights reserved. If sharing, kindly credit Bold Sports as the source and include a link to the original post. Unauthorised use is prohibited.
