Transfer Deadline Day: Nigerian players that secured moved on deadline day

From Europe’s top five leagues to other competitive divisions, Nigerians have often found themselves making last-minute moves that changed their careers.

This article looks at some notable Nigerian players who sealed transfers on deadline day, what the moves meant at the time, and how they shaped their journeys.

One of the most high-profile Nigerian deadline day transfers happened in August 2019 when Alex Iwobi left Arsenal for Everton. The deal was completed late in the window for a fee that eventually rose to £34million with add-ons.

Iwobi had grown through Arsenal’s academy and featured in over 100 matches for the Gunners, but his role became less secure after the arrival of new signings. Everton wanted creativity and versatility, and the Nigerian international fit their needs.

The move gave Iwobi a fresh start. At Goodison Park, he operated across midfield and wide areas. Although his form was inconsistent at times, his work rate and tactical awareness made him a valuable squad member. The deal remains one of the biggest for a Nigerian footballer on deadline day.

In January 2020, Odion Ighalo completed a shock move to Manchester United on loan from Shanghai Shenhua. The deal was announced just before the deadline closed, making it one of the most dramatic late transfers in Premier League history.

At the time, United needed attacking depth following Marcus Rashford’s injury. Many fans were surprised by the signing, but Ighalo brought experience and hunger. The former Watford striker quickly won over supporters with his attitude and commitment.

He scored goals in the Europa League and FA Cup, living the dream of playing for his boyhood club. Although the move was temporary, it remains a memorable deadline day story for Nigerian football.

During his Liverpool years, Awoniyi experienced several deadline day moves. Because of work permit issues, he spent time on loan at clubs in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

In 2018, he completed a last-minute switch to Royal Excel Mouscron, where he rediscovered his form by scoring regularly. In 2020, he sealed another late loan to Union Berlin. 

That move turned out to be career-defining, as he impressed so much that the German club later signed him permanently.

Kelechi Nwakali, captain of Nigeria’s U-17 World Cup-winning team in 2015, also had his career shaped by deadline day activity. 

In September 2019, he signed for Spanish club SD Huesca from Arsenal after struggling to secure a work permit in England.

The deal was confirmed late on deadline day, giving Nwakali a chance to finally settle in one club. 

His move helped him grow in Spanish football, where he later became an important figure in Huesca’s promotion push to La Liga.

Musa joined Leicester City in 2016 for a then-record fee, but his time in England did not go as planned. 

By January 2018, he needed regular minutes, especially with the World Cup approaching. On deadline day, he returned to CSKA Moscow on loan.

The move gave him playing time and allowed him to regain sharpness, and he went on to shine for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup, scoring twice against Iceland. 

Without that late transfer, Musa might have struggled for form before the tournament.

Another deadline day headline involving a Nigerian came in September 2020 when Chuba Akpom signed for Middlesbrough from PAOK. The striker had impressed in Greece but wanted to test himself back in England.

The deal was completed with hours to spare, and Akpom quickly made an impact in the Championship. 

His movement and finishing gave Boro more options in attack, while it also revived his career, eventually leading to further opportunities.