Back to Europe: Forgotten Super Eagles baller replaces Moses Simon at French club Nantes

Discover which player got the surprise call-up after Super Eagles winger Moses Simon was let go.

French Ligue 1 club Nantes have made a swift move to replace Nigerian star Moses Simon, who recently departed for Paris FC, with a familiar but often underrated Super Eagles defender, Chidozie Awaziem. 

This move signals Nantes’s ambition to strengthen their squad with seasoned European experience.

Nantes bid farewell to Simon, welcome Awaziem

After six influential seasons with FC Nantes, Simon, the club’s icon and Nigeria’s prolific winger, transferred to newly promoted Ligue 1 side Paris FC in a deal worth approximately €7 million. 

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The 30-year-old’s departure marks the end of a significant era in Nantes, where he became a fan favorite and a key player for the club.

In response, Nantes have quickly secured the services of Awaziem, bringing him back to the club in a high-profile transfer agreement with MLS side Colorado Rapids. 

According to the club's website, the Nigerian international has signed a three-year contract lasting until June 2028, reaffirming his status as a trusted defender with rich European experience.

The journey of Awaziem

Born on January 1, 1997, in Enugu, Nigeria, Awaziem’s football journey began at El Kanemi Warriors before he moved to Portugal to develop at FC Porto in 2014. He made his professional debut at just 19 years old on January 27, 2016.

In July 2017, he was loaned to Nantes, where he featured in 23 games and scored one goal, gaining valuable experience alongside stars such as Diego Carlos and Nicolas Pallois. 

His European journey also took him through Turkey with Rizespor, Spain with Leganés, and Portugal with Boavista, where he played 59 matches.

His career also includes stints at Alanyaspor, Hajduk Split, FC Cincinnati, and most recently, Colorado Rapids in MLS, before returning to France with Nantes. This wealth of experience makes him a versatile and reliable defender.

A strategic return for Nantes

Awaziem’s desire to return to Europe was reportedly motivated by family reasons, as his family is not based in the United States. 

Nantes and Colorado Rapids amicably agreed to part ways, allowing Awaziem to rejoin the Ligue 1 club, an environment where his leadership and experience will be invaluable.

Nantes is like my home. The people are lovely, the club is great, and I was really looking forward to this environment," he told the club. "When the opportunity arose, I didn't hesitate for a second to come back."

Awaziem’s re-signing adds depth to Nantes’s defensive options as they aim to continue their competitive progress in France's top flight and European competitions. 

His return is seen as a strategic move to bolster the squad with a player who is both seasoned and familiar with the club's ambitions. Awaziem brings speed, height, experience, versatility and ball playing ability to Nantes.

Fan Reactions

Leading the charge and praise for Awaziem was Nigerian Beach Soccer legend, Abu Azeez, who expressed excitement with the 28-year-old return with this comment; "Better move, back to Europe."

Others described the defender as 'better footballer,' while this particular fan had something to say about Awaziem's agent; "When u get better agent wey dey make things happen."