Super Eagles: Where Chibuike Nwaiwu ranks among Super Lig’s biggest market-value risers

Super Eagles defender Chibuike Nwaiwu has emerged as the biggest winner from the latest Süper Lig market-value update, underlining the rapid rise of the Trabzonspor star since his move to Turkey, Afrik-Foot reports.

Transfermarkt has increased Nwaiwu’s valuation from €10 million to €18 million, representing an €8 million jump after the latest reassessment of players in the Turkish top flight. No other Süper Lig player recorded a bigger increase.

The increase is notable considering the 23-year-old only joined Trabzonspor from Austrian club Wolfsberger in January 2026 for €5.5 million. His contract with the Turkish club runs until June 2030.

Nwaiwu’s latest valuation also puts him among the most valuable Nigerian defenders, with only Calvin Bassey ahead of him in the latest Super Eagles market-value ranking.

Chibuike Nwaiwu sits at the top of the biggest risers

Nwaiwu’s €8 million increase puts him clear at the top of the latest market-value growth table.

Fenerbahçe left-back Archie Brown is second after his valuation rose by €6 million, while Beşiktaş youngster İlhan Fakılı completes the top three after gaining €5.8 million.

Trabzonspor’s Aral Şimşir follows with a €5 million increase, while Beşiktaş’s Junior Olaitan and Galatasaray’s Deniz Gül also gained €5 million each.

The latest ranking:

1. Chibuike Nwaiwu – €18m (+€8m)
2. Archie Brown – €18m (+€6m)
3. İlhan Fakılı – €7m (+€5.8m)
4. Aral Şimşir – €15m (+€5m)
5. Junior Olaitan – €12m (+€5m)
6. Deniz Gül – €10m (+€5m)

Nwaiwu’s lead is significant because his €8 million increase is €2 million more than Brown’s rise, despite both defenders now carrying an €18 million valuation.

Why Nwaiwu’s valuation has surged

The Nigerian has established himself as an important part of Trabzonspor’s defence since arriving from Wolfsberger.

He has been trusted regularly by the Turkish club, and his performances have helped raise his profile in one of Europe’s more competitive domestic leagues, even garnering interest from English Premier League sides Tottenham and Fulham.

His rise has also coincided with his growing profile at international level. Nwaiwu made his Nigeria debut in March 2026 and has since become part of Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles setup, giving him another platform to increase his profile.

The market-value jump now reflects a player whose standing has changed considerably in a relatively short period.

From €5.5m signing to €18m Super Eagles star

Perhaps the clearest indication of Nwaiwu’s progress is the gap between what Trabzonspor paid for him and his current Transfermarkt valuation.

The Turkish club spent €5.5 million to sign him from Wolfsberger. His current €18 million valuation is therefore more than three times the transfer fee Trabzonspor paid for him.

Nwaiwu’s €18 million valuation does not mean he would necessarily command that amount in an actual transfer, as Transfermarkt’s figures are estimated market values rather than confirmed transfer fees, but the direction of his valuation is significant.

In the latest Süper Lig update, no player increased his market value more than Nwaiwu.

For a defender who only moved to Turkey in January, becoming the league’s biggest market-value riser represents another indication of how quickly the Super Eagles centre-back’s career has risen.