The spotlight often falls on the familiar names in Nigerian football, but every season, fresh voices rise from unexpected corners of Europe.
With the 2025/26 campaign gathering pace, a handful of young men are quietly making their mark across the continent. Here are five players worth keeping an eye on.
Philip Otele (Basel)
At 26, Philip Otele has had to take the long road. From Lithuania to Romania, then the United Arab Emirates, the winger’s path has been anything but straightforward.
Yet in Basel, he seems to have finally found a home. Otele’s initial loan spell yielded nine league goals in 18 appearances, convincing the Swiss giants to make the deal permanent.
Already this term, he has chipped in with two goals and two assists in the Super League, his sharp bursts from wide areas proving invaluable. He has been linked with Premier League side Fulham, where he could link up with compatriots Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.
Kevin Carlos Omoruyi (Nice)
Another Basel connection is Kevin Carlos Omoruyi, who has just swapped Switzerland for the French Riviera.
The Spanish-Nigerian forward, born in Ceuta to a Nigerian father, left Yverdon last summer for Basel, scoring 15 goals in all competitions during his solitary season at St. Jakob-Park.
That output was enough to tempt OGC Nice into a €3m move. A classic centre-forward with size, power, and a ruthless streak in the box, Carlos already has 52 career goals in 136 games. He has openly spoken about his desire to wear the green of Nigeria, and Ligue 1 will provide the perfect stage to test his ambitions.
Un métier d'instinct. pic.twitter.com/z9a8KzA8SZ
— OGC Nice (@ogcnice) August 18, 2025
Gibson Yah (Volendam)
FC Volendam may not be a glamorous destination, but for 21-year-old Gibson Osahumen Yah, it is a stage for rebirth.
The Edo State native came through Ajax’s famed youth system, later representing Jong Ajax and Jong Utrecht in the Dutch second tier.
Now, on a two-year contract with Volendam, he has the chance to prove he belongs at the top level. A versatile midfielder who can sit deep or slot in at the back, Yah combines technical grounding with physical bite. For a club battling to stay afloat in the Eredivisie, his energy and intelligence will be key.
Chibuike Nwaiwu (Wolfsberger)
Few Nigerian players have taken to Austria as seamlessly as Chibuike Nwaiwu.
The former Enyimba defender only arrived in 2024 but has already lifted the Austrian Cup with Wolfsberger.
At 22, he looks a stalwart already; strong in duels, clean in his distribution, and unflinching under pressure. Wolfsberger will count on him both in the Bundesliga and the Europa Conference League.
David Moses (Slavia Prague)
In Prague, David Moses has quietly carved a reputation as a midfield spoiler of note.
The 21-year-old was part of the Slavia side that clinched the Czech title last season, and his discipline at the base of midfield has already earned him five league appearances in the new campaign.
With Champions League nights now on his calendar, Moses has the chance to show his mettle against higher-calibre opposition. His rise has been understated, but the coming months could be defining.
