Rafiu Durosinmi leaves Pisa: Four Super Eagles stars in Genk’s top 10 record signings

Rafiu Durosinmi has become the latest Nigerian player to make history at Belgian Pro League side KRC Genk after completing a permanent move from Italian club Pisa, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 23-year-old striker joined Genk for a club-record €10.5 million, making him the most expensive signing in the Belgian club’s history. He signed a four-year contract that will keep him at the Cegeka Arena until June 2030 and will wear the famous No. 9 shirt.

The agreement also includes €500,000 in performance-related bonuses, while Pisa secured a 10% sell-on clause in case Genk sell him in the future.

Durosinmi only arrived at Pisa from Czech club Viktoria Plzeň in January 2026 for €9 million, but his stay in Italy lasted just six months. He managed only one goal and one assist as Pisa were relegated from Serie A.

Despite receiving a more attractive financial offer from Turkish club Trabzonspor, the Nigerian forward chose Genk because he believes Belgium offers a better platform to develop and earn another move to Europe’s bigger leagues.

Standing at 1.93 metres, Durosinmi now steps into the role left behind by fellow Nigerian Tolu Arokodare, who last summer joined Wolverhampton Wanderers after finishing as the Belgian Pro League’s top scorer. He will also share the dressing room with Nigerian winger Yira Sor and youngster Christian Akpan.

Durosinmi and Genk’s biggest transfers

Durosinmi’s arrival means four Nigerian players now feature among Genk’s 10 most expensive signings. His €10.5 million transfer comfortably beats the club’s previous record, which was the €7 million paid for Théo Bongonda in 2019.

The next Nigerian on the list is Yira Sor, whose move from Slavia Prague in December 2022 cost Genk around €6.5 million. The speedy winger signed a contract until 2027 after impressing in the UEFA Europa Conference League, where he scored six goals in six matches for the Czech side.

Although injuries slowed his progress, Sor remained an important squad player. During the 2025-26 season, he made 42 appearances, scored six goals, and continued to attract interest from clubs in Germany and Turkey.

Another Nigerian who made a lasting impact is Paul Onuachu, who joined Genk from Danish side FC Midtjylland in August 2019 for around €6 million, with the total package rising close to €7 million through bonuses.

The towering striker proved to be one of the club’s greatest signings. He scored 84 goals in 134 appearances, won the Belgian Cup, claimed the Belgian Pro League Golden Boot, and lifted the prestigious Ebony Shoe award before earning an €18 million move to Southampton in January 2023.

Arokodare’s success opens the door for Durosinmi

The fourth Nigerian in Genk’s top 10 record signings is Tolu Arokodare, who arrived from French club Amiens in January 2023 for around €5 million.

Genk signed him on transfer deadline day to replace Paul Onuachu, who had completed his move to Southampton only hours earlier.

Arokodare needed time to settle but quickly became a problem for defenders in Belgium. Across two and a half seasons, he scored 41 goals and provided 12 assists in 113 appearances in all competitions.

His breakthrough came during the 2024-25 campaign, when he scored 21 league goals to win the Belgian Pro League Golden Boot. His outstanding performances earned him a record-breaking transfer to Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2025 for €27 million, making him Genk’s most expensive outgoing player.