Deadline Day: Boniface, Chukwueze, and Other Super Eagles Stars Who Joined New Clubs
- The European summer transfer window in the top five leagues officially closed at 7 pm British time on September 1
- Four Super Eagles players joined new clubs, including three who moved to the English Premier League
- African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman remained at Italian club Atalanta despite pushing for a move away
The European transfer window for the top five European leagues officially closed at 7 pm GMT after a busy day of market activities for the clubs.
Nigerian footballers were on the market for deadline day moves, which went through for four of them who joined new clubs, advancing their careers.
Source: Getty Images
As reported by GIFN, Ademola Lookman failed to secure a move away from Atalanta despite attempting to leave after submitting a transfer request.
He has three options, the first of which is to continue at Atalanta until January, while the other options are a move to Turkey or Saudi Arabia, whose windows are still open.
Legit.ng looks at the four Super Eagles stars who joined new clubs on deadline day.
Super Eagles stars who secured deadline day moves
1. Victor Boniface
Boniface’s proposed move to Al-Nassr in January collapsed after the Saudi club signed Jhon Duran. The striker also failed AC Milan's medical last month, thus foiling an attempt to join Rossoneri on loan.
Leverkusen announced his transfer on X:
The Super Eagles forward, despite all indications pointing towards him staying at Bayer Leverkusen, secured a season-long loan move to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.
2. Tolu Arokodare
Arokodare was poised to leave KRC Genk after winning the Belgian league's Golden Boot last season and had to wait until deadline day to secure a permanent move.
Wolverhampton Wanderers confirmed in an official statement that the Nigerian forward signed a four-year contract with an option of 12 months, sealing a dream Premier League transfer.
Wolves called him a Wolf on X alongside pictures of their new player.
3. Samuel Chukwueze
Chukwueze joined AC Milan from Villarreal in 2023, but failed to settle down at the club despite playing under multiple managers, including Massimiliano Allegri and Paulo Fonseca.
Source: Twitter
He has been linked to a Premier League move for months, including Aston Villa, and on the deadline day, London club Fulham confirmed he had joined on loan, linking up with compatriots Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.
Fulham announced this on X:
4. Christantus Uche
Uche has enjoyed a slow and steady rise to the top, from the fifth tier of Spanish football to playing for Getafe in La Liga to securing a big move to the Premier League.
See the announcement post on X:
The 22-year-old joined FA Cup winners Crystal Palace on a season-long loan and will wear the number 12 jersey. Uche was initially linked to Wolves, but opted for life in London, with his compatriot Arokodare joining Wolves.
5. Cyriel Dessers
Last season's Scottish Premiership Golden Boot winner Cyriel Dessers made a late switch from Rangers to Greek Super League side Panathinaikos after weeks of speculation over his future.
Super Eagles star in the UCL
Legit.ng previously analysed the Super Eagles stars who will play Champions League football this season after UEFA conducted the group stage draws.
Victor Boniface, who was initially listed, will no longer play in the competition after joining Werder Bremen, which did not qualify for the competition on a season-long loan from Bayer Leverkusen.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
