Nigerian players who moved during the winter transfer window
Football is a game that involves a lot of movements both on and off the pitch. On the pitch, movements are made in order to score or defend a goal while off the pitch, movements of players are usually tailored sustaining the team's overall vision and ensuring that the team maintains a competitive edge- this is why the transfer market is seen as a very crucial aspect in club football. The latest being the 2018 winter transfer window which has been a very busy one indeed with major [and big money] moves being sealed with players such as Coutinho, Alexis Sanchez and Aubameyang being among the top stars that switched club in the month of January.
However, as the winter transfer window in most of Europe's top leagues came to a close on the 31st of January, 2018, we will like to focus on Nigerian players that were involved in transfer deals in the course of this very transfer market. And considering the fact that this particular window is the last before the 2018 FIFA world cup in Russia, some of these players have probably made the moves so as to bolster their chances of being selected for the world cup squad while for some (players), it is more about development.
Ahmed Musa: Leicester City to CSKA Moscow (6-month loan deal)
Ahmed Musa must have heaved a sigh of relief as he secured the loan deal away from Leicester City where he has not seen much game time. He will be hoping to pin down a regular spot at CSKA Moscow with a view of making the Super Eagles world cup party.
Brown Ideye: Tianjin Teda to Malaga (6-month loan deal)
Ideye has been in a kind of oblivion in Tianjin Teda where he was demoted to the club's reserve. So, joining Malaga on a 6-month loan should help him gain some confidence back. But there is work to be done as Malaga are currently themselves in the relegation waters.
Isaac Success: Watford to Malaga (6-month loan deal)
Success makes a return to Spain, and this time around, he will be teaming up with Brown Ideye at Malaga as he hopes to get his career back on a progressive track.
Oghenekaro Etebo: CD Feirense to Las Palmas (6-month loan deal)
The 22-year old box-to-box midfielder will be aiming to contribute his quota towards seeing to it that Las Palmas survive the drop. Plus, playing in the Spanish top flight for the remainder of the season could go a long way in boosting Etebo's chances of making the world cup squad.
Shehu Abdullahi: Anorthorsis Famagusta to Bursaspor (two-and-half year contract)
Shehu Abdullahi was among the few Nigerian players who secured a permanent deal. The energetic right fullback joined Bursaspor- where he teamed up with William Troost-Ekong, Mikel Agu and Paschal Okoli- from Cypriot first division side, Anorthorsis Famagusta in a two-and-half year deal worth €600,000.
Anthony Ujah: Liaoning Whowin to Mainz 05 (three-and-half year contract)
Anthony Ujah moved back to the Bundesliga; joining Mainz 05 [on a second stint] from Chinese club, Liaoning Whowin. The ex-Werder Bremen striker signed a three-and-half year deal that will see him turning out in the colors of the O-Fives till 2021. The deal is worth €3.8 million.
Others
Gbenga Arokoyo: Atlanta United - Kalmar FF (3-year contract).
Eze Okeuhie: FK Metalac Gornji Milanovac - Vojvodina (3-year contract).
Emmanuel Emenike: Olympiacos - Las Palmas (6-month loan deal).
Nosa Igiebor: Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Anorthorsis Famagusta (6-month loan deal).
Elderson Echiejile: Monaco - Cercle Brugge (6-month loan deal).
Theophilus Solomon: HNK Rijeka - Omonia (6-month loan deal).
Chidiebere Nwakali: Manchester City - Aberdeen (6-month loan deal).
Nura Abdullahi: AS Roma - Perugia (18-month loan deal).