Akor Adams record transfer to Serie A: Ranking the greatest Nigerian stars in Venezia history

Super Eagles striker Akor Adams is on the verge of becoming the newest Nigerian player to represent Venezia after the newly promoted Serie A club reached a full agreement with Sevilla over his transfer, Afrik-Foot reports.

Reports indicate that Venezia have agreed to pay a guaranteed €16 million, while performance-related bonuses could increase the total package to €23 million. The transfer will become the most expensive signing in Venezia’s history, showing the club’s determination to stay in Serie A after winning promotion.

Adams has already agreed personal terms on a five-year contract until June 2030. He is completing the remaining paperwork and undergoing his medical before the official announcement.

Sevilla originally wanted around €25 million, but the Spanish club’s financial situation forced them to accept a lower guaranteed fee. Even so, they still make a healthy profit after buying the striker from Montpellier for €5.5 million in January 2025.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a strong campaign despite Sevilla’s difficult season. He scored 10 La Liga goals and provided three assists, finishing as the club’s top scorer and helping them avoid relegation.

If the move goes through, Adams will become the 11th Nigerian player to represent Venezia. Nigeria already ranks among the club’s biggest foreign player contributors, behind only Argentina, France, Brazil and Uruguay. Before Adams’ arrival, players such as Kenneth Zeigbo, David Okereke, Tyronne Ebuehi, Olasunkanmi Akande Ajide, Razaq Ishola, Kolawole Agodirin and others have all worn the famous orange-and-black shirt.

5 Nigerian players with biggest impact in Venezia’s history

5. Olasunkanmi Akande Ajide

Olasunkanmi Akande Ajide joined Venezia on loan from Roma for the 2004/05 Serie B season after making a single Serie A appearance for the capital club.

It was a difficult time for Venezia. The club struggled both financially and on the pitch before eventually being relegated from Serie B and later declaring bankruptcy.

Ajide found regular playing time hard to come by. He made only seven league appearances and did not score or provide an assist. Coaches regularly changed their team in search of better results, limiting his chances of becoming a first-team regular.

Although his spell in Venice was brief, it formed part of his development before he continued his career with clubs in Italy’s lower divisions and later enjoyed several successful years in Switzerland.

His time at Venezia is remembered as a short learning experience rather than a defining chapter for either the player or the club.

4. Tyronne Ebuehi

Tyronne Ebuehi arrived at Venezia on loan from Benfica ahead of the 2021/22 Serie A season, when the club returned to Italy’s top flight after nearly two decades away.

Coach Paolo Zanetti brought in the Nigerian right-back to strengthen the defence with his pace, energy and experience.

Despite battling injuries during the campaign, Ebuehi made 19 Serie A appearances, giving consistent performances whenever he was available.

Unfortunately, Venezia finished bottom of the table and were relegated back to Serie B. The club’s obligation to buy Ebuehi permanently was cancelled because of the relegation.

However, his performances impressed Zanetti, who later signed him permanently for Empoli after becoming their head coach. That move helped Ebuehi establish himself as one of Nigeria’s most reliable defenders in Serie A.

Although his stay lasted only one season, he proved he belonged at the highest level of Italian football.

3. John Olufemi

John Olufemi had two separate loan spells at Venezia between 2004 and 2005, arriving from Palermo in search of regular football.

Across both spells, the Nigerian forward played 17 league matches and scored two goals.

His first loan produced six appearances without a goal, but he returned the following season with greater confidence, scoring twice in 11 matches.

Olufemi was never the team’s main striker, but he gave useful depth during a difficult period in Venezia’s history. Like many young African players in Italy at the time, he was trying to establish himself while dealing with the challenges of adapting to European football and work permit rules.

His contribution may not have been spectacular, but he remains part of the club’s growing Nigerian story.

2. Kelechi Francis Ibekwe

Kelechi Francis Ibekwe stands close to the top of Venezia’s Nigerian rankings because of his long association with the club across three different spells.

His first appearance came during the 2003/04 season, when he made his Serie B debut before going out on loan to continue his development.

He returned in 2006 and enjoyed the best spell of his Venezia career, scoring six goals in only 12 appearances. His finishing ability made him one of the team’s most effective attacking options during that period.

Ibekwe later came back for a third spell in 2008/09, making 26 appearances and scoring two more goals as Venezia competed in Italy’s lower divisions.

While he never became a Serie A superstar, his willingness to return whenever the club needed him made him one of Venezia’s most dependable Nigerian players.

His three separate spells, important goals and years of service have earned him a unique place in the club’s history.

1. David Okereke

David Okereke enjoyed the most memorable individual season by a Nigerian player at Venezia.

The striker joined on loan from Club Brugge for the 2021/22 Serie A campaign and immediately became the club’s main attacking threat.

He featured in 32 matches and scored seven Serie A goals, finishing as Venezia’s top scorer despite the club’s struggles.

His greatest moments came against some of Italy’s biggest clubs. Okereke scored the winning goal in Venezia’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Jose Mourinho’s Roma, ending a wait of more than 20 years for a league win over the capital club.

Just one week later, he produced another match-winning performance by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 away victory over Bologna, giving Venezia back-to-back shock wins that became some of the club’s most famous modern results.

Although Venezia were eventually relegated, Okereke became a fan favourite at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo. He later returned permanently to Italian football with Cremonese, but his unforgettable goals ensured his place among Venezia’s most loved Nigerian players.