Chidozie Awaziem to Konyaspor: Breakdown of ₦1.5bn deal and one key clause

Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem has officially completed his move from French club FC Nantes to Turkish Süper Lig side Konyaspor, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 29-year-old centre-back has signed a two-year contract after Konyaspor agreed a €1 million (approximately ₦1.5 billion) transfer fee with Nantes, bringing an end to his second spell with the French club.

Hoş geldin Chidozie Awaziem! ✍️
👉 https://t.co/GmmGRETP9Y pic.twitter.com/UdbBcNLlo0

— TÜMOSAN Konyaspor (@konyaspor) July 29, 2026

For Awaziem, the move represents more than a change of scenery. It offers the chance to return to a league where he previously excelled, following the relegation of FC Nantes to the second tier of French football.

Breakdown of Chidozie Awaziem’s move to Konyaspor

As per Foot Mercato, Konyaspor agreed to pay Nantes €1 million (₦1.54bn) to secure Awaziem on a permanent deal.

The fee reflects Nantes’ circumstances after their relegation to Ligue 2, with the French club eager to reduce both their wage bill and squad size following the drop from the top flight.

For Konyaspor, it represents a low-risk investment for a defender with experience across France, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, MLS and the Turkish Süper Lig.

Contract: Two years with an extension option

Awaziem has signed a two-year contract that will keep him at Konyaspor until the summer of 2028.

However, the agreement also includes an option to extend the deal by an additional season. That clause could prove significant for both parties.

If the Nigerian rediscovers the form he displayed during previous spells with Çaykur Rizespor and Alanyaspor, Konyaspor can retain an experienced defender without entering fresh negotiations.

Equally, it gives Awaziem the stability to establish himself before considering another move later in his career.

Wages remain undisclosed

Neither Konyaspor nor Nantes have revealed the financial details of Awaziem’s salary.

However, reports indicate the defender sought a fresh challenge following wage adjustments expected at Nantes after the club’s relegation to Ligue 2.

Moving to Turkey allows him to remain in a top-flight league while avoiding the uncertainty surrounding Nantes’ financial restructuring.

The key clause: A third season already on the table

The most important detail in the agreement is the one-year extension option.

Rather than committing to a lengthy contract immediately, Konyaspor have protected themselves by giving the club control over whether Awaziem stays beyond 2028.

For the Nigerian international, it creates additional motivation. Strong performances over the next two seasons could automatically earn him another campaign in Turkey without the uncertainty of becoming a free agent.

Why the move suits everyone

For Nantes, the transfer generates income while removing an experienced player’s salary following relegation.

For Konyaspor, they acquire a defender already familiar with Turkish football after previous spells at Alanyaspor and Çaykur Rizespor.

For Awaziem, perhaps most importantly, the move keeps him competing at top-flight level.

With Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Benjamin Fredrick, Igoh Ogbu and Emmanuel Fernandez all competing for places in Nigeria’s defence, remaining in a first-division European league significantly strengthens his chances of retaining his Super Eagles place.

After an underwhelming end to his Nantes career, Konyaspor offers exactly what the 40-cap Nigerian international needed: familiarity, stability and an opportunity to rebuild.