How did Nigerian players fare in the transfer Window? [READ]

by Olorunwa Lawal

The 2014 football transfer window recorded some major signings of quality players between European clubs.

Premier League clubs smashed the record for spending on transfers in the summer window after splashing out £835m on new players. Manchester United led the way, with a record for an English club of £150m spent.

Some of the headlining moves includes the transfer of Luiz Suarez to Barcelona (from Liverpool), Cesc Fabregas to Chelsea (from Barcelona); Di Maria to Manchester United (from Real Madrid), Falcao to Manchester United (from As Monaco), Balotelli to Liverpool (from Ac Milan), Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal (from Barcelona) and many more.

Nigerian players were also involved in the transfer heat across Europe. Although none of them made any headlining move.
Below is a list of Nigerian players and their transfer escapades;

Brown Ideye to West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion broke their club transfer record to sign Brown Ideye from Dynamo Kyiv in a £10 million deal.

Ideye who was part of the Super Eagles triumphant team at the 2013 African Nations Cup, made his full debut for the Baggies in a 3-0 defeat against Swansea over the weekend. Despite his slow start to life in England he has been back by manager Alan Irvine to come good.

Victor Moses to Stoke City

Nigerian winger Victor Moses joined Stoke on a season-long loan from Chelsea. Moses, who was on a season loan at Liverpool last season, has already made two impressive appearances for the Potters so far this season.

Although, the winger was accused of a drop in form during the Super Eagles campaign at the World Cup in Brazil, it is believed his move to Stoke will give him more playing time, a feat he didn’t enjoy at Anfield.

Kenneth Omeruo to Middlebrough

Nigeria international defender Kenneth Omeruo returned to Championship side Middlebrough for a second consecutive season-long loan spell from Chelsea. The 20-year-old, who featured for the Super Eagles at the World Cup, was expected to remain in the English Premier League following his impressive display at the World Cup but Jose Mourinho had other ideas.

Nnamdi Oduamadi to FC Crotone

The 23-year-old moved from AC Milan to join Serie B side Crotone on a season-long loan deal. Oduamadi will spend his fifth consecutive loan spell in the Italian lower division in an attempt to convince the San Siro officials that he is ready to put on the famous Red and Black shirts.

Oduamadi was a dropped out of the Super Eagles final team that made it to the World Cup earlier this year. A move to the Serie B is what he needs to have more playing time, something he has not been enjoying at AC Milan.

Other transfers include;

Odion Ighalo (from Serie A side Udinese to Watford on a season loan)
Macauley Chrisantus (from Spanish second division side Las Palmas to Sivasspor)
Tom Adeyemi (from Birmingham City to Cardiff City)
Jordon Ibe (from Liverpool to Derby County on a season loan)
Jonathan Obika (from Tottenham Hotspur to Swindon Town)
Abiola Dauda (Red Star Belgrade in the Serbian SuperLiga to Vitesse Arnhem)
Joseph Akpala (from Werder Bremen to Turkish side Karabukspor)

Some of the surprises for most Nigerians was the decision of Jose Mourinho to keep Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi.
There were speculations of the Portuguese born Coach, letting go the midfielder after major signings, and his dismal display at Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup but it wasn’t the case. Mikel appears to be very much in the plans of the Special One.

The £835m spent by the EPL in the transfer window is about £200m more than the previous record of £630m, also by Premier League clubs in 2013.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

cool good eh love2 cute confused notgood numb disgusting fail