The summer transfer window finally closed Monday night for most of Europe and SCORENigeria picks out the five top moves by Nigeria stars in terms of the cash and career benefits.
5.Tolu Arokodare (Valmeira FC Latvia to FC Cologne)
The big, powerful centre-forward has been rewarded by a top-drawer transfer to the German Bundesliga with FC Cologne. He now has a season to justify his worth before the switch will be made permanent. He already has some playing minutes under his belt and a couple of goals will most certainly boost his self-belief and define what becomes of this transfer.
4.Paul Omo Mukairu (Antalyaspor Turkey to Anderlecht)
The striker or winger has pushed his way to mainland Europe after showing his class in Turkey, first with the Antalyaspor U19s, where he banged eight goals in as many matches, before he signed a professional contract with the club’s senior team where he made 27 appearances, scored five goals and provided four assists. Anderlecht have been tracking the talented Mukairu for several months, but had to move in quickly to fend off late-minute interest from several Belgian clubs as well as Serie A clubs. He has been brought in to replace the highly-rated Jeremy Doku, who has moved on a record deal to Ligue 1 club Rennes. Rebuilding Anderlecht believe in the youth and Mukairu’s game based on speed and technique will be great for a super shop window called the Belgian Jupiler League.
3.Terem Moffi (KV Kortrijk Belgium to Lorient FC)
This is another exciting striker, who made the most of his short time in Belgium with KV Kortrijk to earn a record eight million Euros transfer to Ligue 1 club FC Lorient. Kortrijk will smile even more to the bank should Moffi, 21, reproduce the form he displayed in just seven months in Belgium, where he netted five goals in nine league matches. They took a chance on the left-footed striker and paid a paltry $150,000 in January after he had painted Lithuania with goals last year. Ligue 2 champions Lorient are also a selling club and more Moffi goals in France will only mean good business for both club and player.
2.Zaidu Sanusi (Santa Clara Portugal to FC Porto)
The highly-rated leftback made the dream move to champions FC Porto from modest Santa Clara also in Portugal. This has since been rewarded with a first-ever Super Eagles call-up. Jet-heeled Zaidu has already enjoyed some game time in the new season and the departure of Brazil international Alex Telles to Manchester United can only mean he will play a bigger role at Porto this season. The transfer comes with the chance to feature in the UEFA Champions League and at a good age of 23, Zaidu still has a chance to push on to a bigger league before long.
1.Victor Osimhen (Lille France to Napoli)
The Super Eagles striker became the most expensive African player ever after Napoli splashed over 80 million Euros to snap him up from Lille and end many months of speculations about his future. He has settled in quickly at the Serie A club and many believe that once the goals start coming in official games, the Osimhen train will be well and truly on track and headed for glory. He is already a major inspiration to millions of players both at home and abroad – that despite a humble beginning and even a major setback in Europe, you can still rise to the challenge and prove many wrong.
