As many as four Nigerian players have made moves that set a new transfer record during the course of the ongoing summer transfer window, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
In a window where many haven’t been excited by moves made by Nigerian players, it’s pertinent to note that four of them have set new transfer records starting with Taiwo Awoniyi’s move to Nottingham Forest.
Awoniyi made it back to back record transfer when he moved to the newly promoted English Premier League side for a fee of €20.5m from Union Berlin of Germany. Last summer he also joined the German side for a record fee from Liverpool in the region of €8m.
Calvin Bassey was the next Nigerian to set a new transfer record when he moved to Dutch giants Ajax from Scottish side Rangers for an initial fee of €23m, which could rise to €26m. The fee is the highest sale ever made by the Scottish side. He also becomes the most expensive defender ever signed by the Dutch side. In their list of expensive signings he is second.
One which went under the radar is that of David Okereke, the one time Super Eagles invitee who was also a part of the last U23 team of Nigeria left Club Brugge for newly promoted Serie A side Cremonese. Last season he was on loan to relegated Serie A side Venezia.
His move to Cremonese was worth €10m and it makes him their most expensive signing ever. Same week that another Belgium side Union Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, abbreviated to Union SG or USG broke the bank for another Nigerian.
Victor Boniface joined the Belgium UEFA Champions League representative from Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt in a deal worth €2m. Making him the most expensive signing in their history.
With the transfer window still very much open, move Nigerian players will be expected to switch clubs. It is left to be seen if it will be for record fee as the case was with the aforementioned quartet.
