Fernandez: Super Eagles star becomes Rangers MVP, climbs into Nigeria’s top 10

Super Eagles defender and Rangers’ Men’s Player of the Year, Emmanuel Fernandez has recorded the biggest market value increase in the Scottish Premiership this season, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 24-year-old centre-back arrived at Rangers from Peterborough United during the 2025 summer transfer window with little fanfare, but he quickly became one of the most important players at Ibrox.

Questions were initially raised about whether the Nigerian defender could cope with the physical nature and pressure of Scottish football. However, Fernandez answered those doubts with a series of dominant displays in defence under manager Danny Röhl.

He helped Rangers keep 12 clean sheets across all competitions and also became a major attacking threat from set-pieces, scoring six goals during the campaign. His consistency at the back and leadership qualities made him a fan favourite in Glasgow.

Fernandez’s performances earned him a place in the PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year, while Rangers supporters voted him as the club’s Men’s Player of the Year after a sensational breakthrough season.

According to Transfermarkt, Fernandez’s market value has now jumped by €9 million to €18 million. That rise is the biggest increase recorded by any player in the Scottish Premiership this season.

At that mark, the Nigerian international is now Rangers’ most valuable player and the second most valuable player in the Scottish top flight behind Arne Engels of Celtic, who is valued at €20 million.

Fernandez joins Nigeria’s elite names

Fernandez’s stunning rise has also pushed him into Nigeria’s top 10 most valuable footballers for the first time in his career.

The Rangers defender now sits eighth among Nigerian stars, behind Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Tolu Arokodare and Ola Aina.

He is now valued above players such as Nathan Tella, Samuel Chukwueze and Christantus Uche, who are all currently valued at €15 million.

What makes Fernandez’s rise even more extraordinary is that he started the season with a market valuation of just €350,000 before exploding into prominence in Scotland and Europe.

His excellent form also earned him his first invitation to the Nigeria Super Eagles during the March international break.

Fernandez made his senior debut in Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Iran before scoring his first international goal on his full debut in a 2-2 draw against Jordan just a few days later.

The tall centre-back has been included in Nigeria’s squad for the Unity Cup in London this month and the two friendlies against Portugal and Poland in June.