There were big moves for two Nigerian players in the last 24 hours, with Kingsley Ehizibue heading to Italy from Germany and Raphael Onyedika leaving Denmark for Belgium.
Ehizibue’s switch from Cologne in the Bundesliga to Udinese was announced tonight, with the right-back signing a long-term deal.
“Kingsley Ehizibue is a new Udinese player,” the Serie A club stated on their official website. “He has been permanently acquired from Cologne and has signed a contract with our club until 30 June 2026 with an option for a further sporting season.
“He is gifted with excellent technique as well as having great athletic and physical skills that make him an ideal interpreter for the club’s tactical needs.”
Ehizibue was born in Munich, Germany to Nigerian parents on May 25, 1995 and has featured for The Netherlands U-21s.
He moved to The Netherlands when he was just two years old, settling in Zwolle where he started playing for PEC, making
his debut in the first team in the 2014/2015 season.
He made 26 appearances and scored four goals for PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie in the following season.
In all, he made 135 appearances, scored nine goals and made 18 assists for PEC Zwolle before leaving for Cologne in 2019 for €2m.
Ehizibue played 76 times for Cologne in three seasons, scoring one goal with three assists before switching to Udinese for around €1.5m tonight.
He is teaming up with another Nigerian, Isaac Success, at Udinese.
On Onyedika’s part, the midfielder’s move from FC Midtjylland to Belgian champions Club Brugge was confirmed on Sunday night.
The 22-year-old joined on a five-year contract after the Belgians beat off competition from AC Milan.
Onyedika had his breakthrough season at FC Midtjylland last term, making 48 appearances in all competitions, including the UEFA Champions League qualifiers and the Europa League proper.
He scored four goals and made three assists. He has already made nine appearances this season, six in the Supaligaen and three in Champions League qualifiers.
The midfielder joined FC Midtjylland U-19s from Lagos club FC Ebedei in 2019.
