Top 10 most expensive Nigerian footballers of all time

Over the years, Nigerian footballers have commanded significant transfer fees, moving across Europe’s elite leagues for staggering sums.

While some justified their price tags with world-class performances, others struggled under the weight of expectation.

Using cumulative transfer fees as the benchmark, here are the 10 most expensive Nigerian footballers of all time in descending order. (All transfer valuations sourced by Transfermarkt.)

Top 10 most expensive Nigerian footballers

Kelechi Iheanacho – €28m
Taiwo Awoniyi – €29.1m
Terem Moffi – €31.49m
Umar Sadiq – €33.5m
Ademola Lookman – €36.15m
Obafemi Martins – €42.59m
Odion Ighalo – €44.45m
Calvin Bassey – €45.5m
Alex Iwobi – €56.1m
Victor Osimhen – €106.9m

10. Kelechi Iheanacho – €28m

Top 10 most expensive Nigerian footballers of all time — Photo by Icon Sport

Iheanacho's career, in contrast to many, has been characterized by relative stability. Rising from Taye Academy in Nigeria to Manchester City as a youth, he later secured a transfer to Leicester City.

At the time, only Mohamed Salah's fee surpassed his, making him the second most expensive African player in the Premier League, and for a brief period the most expensive Nigerian footballer ever.

Leicester City → Sevilla (Free, 2024)
Manchester City → Leicester City (€27m, 2017)
Taye Academy → Manchester City (€1m, 2015)

9. Taiwo Awoniyi – €29.1m

Awoniyi's initial move to Liverpool, hampered by work permit issues, triggered a series of European loans.

A pivotal period at Union Berlin culminated in a permanent transfer and standout performances, paving the way for his key role at Nottingham Forest, where his goals proved crucial for Premier League survival.

Union Berlin → Nottingham Forest (€20.5m, 2022)
Liverpool → Union Berlin (€7.5m, 2021)
Imperial Soccer Academy → Liverpool (€1.1m, 2015)

8. Terem Moffi – €31.9m

Moffi's displays for Lithuanian club Žalgiris paved the way for a transfer to Belgium, a crucial stepping stone to mainstream European football.

His impressive form at Lorient in France culminated in a significant move to OGC Nice, where Moffi is establishing himself as one of the finest Nigerian players to have graced Ligue 1.

Lorient → OGC Nice (€22.5m, 2023)
Kortrijk → Lorient (€8m, 2020)
Kauno Žalgiris → Kortrijk (€1.4m, 2020)
Buckswood Football Academy → Kauno Žalgiris (Free, 2017)

7. Umar Sadiq – €33.5m

Umar Sadiq's performances in the youth ranks of Roma and his prolific spell at Partizan led to his move to Almería.

His transfer to Real Sociedad further highlighted his value and, while it proved to be a not-so-good experience, the 28-year-old has revived his career at Valencia.

UD Almería → Real Sociedad (€20m, 2022)
FK Partizan → UD Almería (€9m, 2020)
Roma → FK Partizan (€2m, 2019)
Spezia → Roma (€2.5m, 2016)

6. Ademola Lookman – €36.15m

Reigning CAF Player of the Year Ademola Lookman, who first made waves with a high-profile move to RB Leipzig from Everton, has found a platform for sustained success at Atalanta, and will almost certainly climb this ranking of most expensive Nigerian footballers ever this summer.

RB Leipzig → Atalanta (€9.35m, 2022)
Everton → RB Leipzig (€18m, 2019)
Charlton Athletic → Everton (€8.80m, 2017)

5. Obafemi Martins – €42.59m

Like a seasoned traveler, Nigerian forward Obafemi Martins charted a course through football's vast world, leaving his mark on the fields of Europe, America, and Asia.

Shanghai Shenhua → Wuhan FC (Free Transfer, 2020)
Seattle Sounders FC → Shanghai Shenhua (€2.70m, 2016)
Levante → Seattle Sounders FC (€3.64m, 2013)
Rubin Kazan → Levante (Free Transfer, 2012)
Rubin Kazan → Birmingham City (Loan Fee: €400k, 2011)
VfL Wolfsburg → Rubin Kazan (€9.00m, 2010)
Newcastle United → VfL Wolfsburg (€10.50m, 2009)
Inter Milan → Newcastle United (€16.00m, 2006)
Reggiana U19 → Inter Milan (€750k, 2001)
FC Ebedei → Reggiana U19 (Free Transfer, 2000)

4. Odion Ighalo – €44.45m

Odion Ighalo’s journey began in Nigeria before moving to Europe with Udinese, Granada, and Watford, where he shined. A lucrative switch to China followed before fulfilling a dream loan at Manchester United.

The former Super Eagles striker later found success in Saudi Arabia, continuing his goal-scoring legacy and cementing his place as one of the most expensive Nigerian footballers ever.

Al-Wehda → Al-Hilal (Free Transfer, 2023)
Al-Shabab → Al-Hilal (€2.90m, 2022)
SH Shenhua → Al-Shabab (€2.50m, 2021)
CC Yatai → SH Shenhua (€5.85m, 2019)
Watford → CC Yatai (€23.30m, 2017)
Udinese Calcio → Watford (€8.00m, 2014)
Lyn → Udinese (€1.90m, 2008)
Julius Berger FC → Lyn (Unknown Fee, 2007)

3. Calvin Bassey – €45.5m

Calvin Bassey stands out as the only defender on this list, and it’s no surprise. His journey from Leicester City's youth setup to Fulham in the present day is nothing short of inspiring. At Rangers, he evolved from a promising talent into a key player, earning a record-breaking move to Ajax.

Ajax → Fulham (€22.50m, 2023)
Rangers → Ajax (€23m, 2022)
Leicester City → Rangers (Free, 2020)

2. Alex Iwobi – €56.10m

Alex Iwobi‘s career has spanned just three clubs, all permanent transfers, a rarity in modern football. The AFCON silver medalist, nurtured from childhood within Arsenal's academy, has matured into one of the Premier League's most influential attackers at high-flying Fulham.

Everton → Fulham (€25.70m, 2023)
Arsenal → Everton (€30.40m, 2019)

1. Victor Osimhen – €106.9m

Victor Osimhen‘s rise to the top of Nigerian football is nothing short of meteoric. From his early days at Ultimate Strikers Academy to his time now at Galatasaray, Osimhen has become a global icon, and stands as the current most expensive Nigerian footballer ever.