Despite their disappointing performance at the international level, where they have failed to win the Africa Cup of Nations since 2013, numerous Nigerian players have transferred to other teams for substantial transfer fees at the club level in the past decade.
Below, Sporty360 provides a comprehensive list of the ten most expensive Nigerian athletes.
10. Victor Osimhen - €22.4m (Charleroi to Lille, 2019)
Victor Osimhen occupies the tenth position on this list due to his transfer from Charleroi to Lille.
Despite his impressive performance in Belgium, the Super Eagles star's rise to prominence worldwide was precipitated by his transfer to Ligue 1.
Osimhen scored 18 goals in 38 appearances for Lille before departing the club after only one season.
9. €22.5 million transfer from Ajax to Fulham in 2023 for Calvin Bassey
Calvin Bassey occupies the ninth position. After a year, the Nigerian defender departed Ajax and joined Fulham in the United Kingdom.
Bassey was unsatisfied with his tenure in Amsterdam, and the Eredivisie giants were pleased to sell him in response to Fulham's interest.
8. Terem Moffi - €22.5m (Lorient to Nice, 2023)
In 2023, Terem Moffi also transferred clubs for €22.5m. Following a fruitful loan stint on the French Riviera, the Nigerian forward transferred from Lorient to OGC Nice.
Moffi's first entire season at Nice saw him score 11 goals, while he departed Lorient having scored 35 goals in 90 games.
7. Calvin Bassey - €23-million transfer from Rangers to Ajax in 2022
Bassey is included on this list for the second and final time due to his initial transfer to Ajax.
Bassey was pursued by numerous leading clubs following his exceptional performance during Rangers' journey to the 2022 Europa League final. Ajax emerged victorious in the pursuit of his signature.
Nevertheless, he only appeared in 39 matches for the Dutch Titans and was an unused substitute in six of their final eight Eredivisie matches of the 2022-23 season. He subsequently departed the club.
6. Odion Ighalo - €23.3m (Watford to CC Yatai, 2016)
In 2016, Odion Ighalo, a serial journeyman, made his first foray into Asian football by departing the luxury of the Premier League to join Chinese side CC Yatai for €23.3m.
Ighalo had become a sensation at Watford, but he departed the club after two and a half years of success, during which he scored 40 goals in 100 matches.
5. Nathan Tella - €23.3m (Southampton to Bayer Leverkusen, 2023)
Nathan Tella was anticipated to sign a permanent contract with Burnley in 2023 following a remarkable loan stint at Turf Moor, during which he scored 17 goals in the Championship as Vincent Kompany's team advanced to the Premier League.
Nevertheless, he opted to join Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. Despite his minor position, Tella was instrumental in the team's historic unbeaten league and cup double during his inaugural season in Germany.
4. Alex Iwobi - €25.7m (Fulham to Everton, 2023)
Alex Iwobi, who joined Fulham for €25.7m in 2023, is one of his generation's most renowned Nigerian players and occupies the fourth position on this ranking.
The former Everton midfielder spent four years at Goodison Park; however, he departed on Transfer Deadline Day following a late offer from Fulham.
3. Kelechi Iheanacho - €27.7 million (Leicester City to Manchester City, 2017)
At Manchester City, Kelechi Iheanacho emerged as one of the most promising young forwards in the football world, and it appeared that he was destined for greatness.
In 2017, he departed the Etihad Stadium after scoring an average of one goal every 100 minutes for the club. He subsequently joined Leicester City for a roughly €30 million fee.
Iheanacho contributed to Leicester's 2021 FA Cup victory and made 232 appearances for the Foxes before departing as a free agent at 27 in 2024.
2. Alex Iwobi - €30.4m (Arsenal to Everton, 2019)
In addition, the same Iwobi is the second-most expensive Nigerian player in history.
After 15 years at Arsenal, he relocated to Everton for more consistent playing time.
Iwobi scored Arsenal's sole goal in the 4-1 Europa League final defeat to Chelsea, which marked his penultimate appearance for the club.
1) Victor Osimhen - €77.5m (2020, Lille to Napoli)
Victor Osimhen is the most expensive Nigerian footballer due to his €77.5m transfer from Lille to Napoli in 2020.
After a season marred by injury during his debut in Serie A, Osimhen quickly regained his footing and secured the title.
During his third season with the club, Capocannoniere helped Napoli secure its first Scudetto since 1990.
The 10 most expensive Nigerian soccer players of all time
| Player | Clubs | Fee | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Victor Osimhen | Lille to Napoli | €77.5m | 2020-21 |
| 2. Alex Iwobi | Arsenal to Everton | €30.4m | 2019-20 |
| 3. Kelechi Iheanacho | Man City to Leicester | €27.7m | 2017-18 |
| 4. Alex Iwobi | Everton to Fulham | €25.7m | 2023-24 |
| 5. Nathan Tella | Southampton to Bayer Leverkusen | €23.3m | 2023-24 |
| 6. Odion Ighalo | Watford to CC Yatai | €23.3m | 2016-17 |
| 7. Calvin Bassey | Rangers to Ajax | €23m | 2022-23 |
| 8. Terem Moffi | Lorient to Nice | €22.5m | 2023-24 |
| 9. Calvin Bassey | Ajax to Fulham | €22.5m | 2023-24 |
| 10. Victor Osimhen | Charleroi to Lille | €22.4m | 2019-20 |
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