Once upon a time, names like Austin (Jay Jay) Okocha, Obafemi Martins, and Victor Ikpeba made headlines in Europe and at home. Today, a new crop of Nigerian players is making a name for themselves, following in the footsteps of these football greats. In the 2024/25 season, this fresh generation of stars lit up stadiums with goals, hoisted trophies, broke records, solidified their status, and etched their names into the history of their various clubs.
While Victor Osimhen’s heroics in Turkey have dominated conversations both at home and abroad, he is far from the only Nigerian player who made waves this campaign. Whether it is scoring goals, defending with grit, or dictating play from deeper positions, Nigerian players made the 2024/25 season unforgettable.
From England to Turkey, France to Belgium, Nigerian players have made their mark in major European leagues, putting the country’s football firmly in the spotlight.
Here are some of the most outstanding Nigerian footballers who delivered star performances for their clubs in the 2024/25 campaign:
Victor Osimhen, The Turkish Super Lig Star
When Osimhen joined Turkish side Galatasaray on a season-long loan deal last summer, his talent was not in doubt, despite falling out of favour at Napoli. Few, however, expected him to hit the ground running — helping the Lions win the domestic double and becoming a fan favourite in the process.
The 26-year-old set and broke records in Turkey. He scored 25 goals in the Super Lig to win the Golden Boot as Galatasaray secured their 25th Turkish crown. With 36 goals in all competitions this season, Osimhen also broke Mario Jardel’s 24-year-old record for the most goals scored by a foreigner in the league.
Alex Iwobi, Fulham’s Ever-Reliable Midfielder
While Osimhen’s exploits dominated headlines, Nigerian talents were also influential in the Premier League. In England, Alex Iwobi was again outstanding this season, finishing as one of the most consistent performers in the top flight. The former Arsenal man played all 38 matches in the league. Iwobi did so in Everton colours in the 2022/23 season, becoming the first Super Eagle to reach that milestone twice after this season’s feat.
The 29-year-old midfielder scored nine goals and provided six assists for the Cottagers — his best contribution in a single campaign.
Calvin Bassey, A Fulcrum In Fulham’s Defence
As Iwobi was pulling the strings in the midfield, his national teammate, Calvin Bassey, enjoyed a similarly impressive season at the back for Marco Silva’s team. Defenders rarely get attention, but the 25-year-old Nigerian was a beacon in Fulham’s backline. He played 37 games this season for the West London club, 35 of them coming in the Premier League. Bassey scored twice —once in the league and once in the FA Cup. His goal against Manchester United in the FA Cup — Fulham won 4-3 on penalties in that fifth-round tie — will be remembered for a long time.
Ola Aina: Forest’s Defending And Attacking Weapon
Meanwhile, at Nottingham Forest, Aina’s defensive dexterity and attacking flair helped them from relegation fighters into — at some point this season —title contenders.
Aina was at the heart of the transformation for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men. His solidity was key as Forest secured qualification for the Europa League. The versatile defender played 35 league matches in the 2024/25 term, scoring twice and providing one assist. In total, he featured in 37 games, helping power Nottingham to one of their most successful seasons. The Conference League qualification was Forest’s first European ticket since 1996.
Dessers Delivers Goals In Glasgow
Beyond the Premier League, Nigerian footballers also excelled in other parts of Europe. One of the season’s standout performers was Cyriel Dessers. Quietly impressive, Dessers netted 29 goals in all competitions — 18 of them in the Scottish Premier League for Rangers.
The 30-year-old Nigerian featured in 55 matches and finished as the league’s top scorer, even though Rangers ended a distant second behind champions Celtic.
Chiamaka Nnadozie Heroics In Paris
The Nigerian impact this season was not limited to men’s football; Super Falcons’ safe pair of hands, Chiamaka Nnadozie, worked wonders between the sticks for Paris FC in France, helping them win a title that had eluded them for almost two decades. She was the heroine as the club won the Coupe de France Feminine, beating rivals Paris Saint-Germain 5-4 on penalties.
Nnadozie saved two penalties in the shootout, delivering Paris FC’s first major trophy since 2005. Her performances included 12 clean sheets in 23 matches and earned her a second consecutive appearance in the Arkema Premiere Ligue Team of the Season.
Uche Christantus, Nigeria’s Breakout Star in Spain
Another rising star who made waves in Europe was Uche Christantus. From playing in the third tier in Spain to being rated among La Liga’s standout midfielders, the Nigerian playmaker enjoyed a breakout campaign with Getafe.
Described as rugged and street-smart by fans and pundits, the highly rated Nigerian midfielder scored four goals and provided seven assists in 38 matches across all competitions for Azulones. Uche’s performances earned him multiple Team of the Week nods.
Expectedly, his fine form led to a national call-up. Though he missed the Unity Cup in London, he will be expected to feature in future Super Eagles games as Nigeria gear up for World Cup qualification and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Anas Yusuf: Domestic League Hero
Not all Nigerian stars ply their trade abroad — back home in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) — a goal king made his mark.
Deadly on setpieces, Anas Yusuf was a nightmare for defenders and was an unstoppable force for Nasarawa United this season. The powerful forward scored 18 goals with two assists for the Solid Miners, becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the NPFL this campaign.
Although his team finished 12th on the log, “The Chairman,” as Anas is fondly called, earned the Golden Boot and added his name to the storied books of Nigerian league legends.
Tolu Arokodare: The Lanky Goal Poacher Who Took Belgium By Storm
Meanwhile, Super Eagles new boy Tolu Arokodare had a standout season in Belgium, his contributions for Genk earning him the top scorer award. The Nigerian forward scored 21 times and provided five assists in 30 league appearances to win the coveted prize in the Jupiler League. Arokodare is with Nigeria in London where they are featuring in the Unity Cup. He made his debut earlier in the year with the Super Eagles in a match against Rwanda in a 2026 World Cup qualification match.
The lanky forward is already attracting interest from top clubs in Europe.
What Does The Future Hold For Nigerian Stars?
Source: Channels TV
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