Super Eagles: Four Nigeria stars who moved to Turkey this summer

The Turkish transfer market has become a familiar destination for Nigerian footballers, and four Super Eagles players have made moves to the country this summer, Afrik-Foot reports.

Chidozie Awaziem, Gift Orban and Kelechi Iheanacho have already completed their respective transfers, while Yira Sor is also closing in on a move to Turkey.

The four players arrive at different stages of their careers and with very different objectives, highlighting the growing appeal of Turkish football to Nigerian internationals.

Four Nigeria stars who moved to Turkey this summer

1. Chidozie Awaziem – Konyaspor

Awaziem is the most experienced defender among the group and has returned to Turkish football with Konyaspor after leaving French side Nantes.

The 29-year-old centre-back signed permanently for the Turkish Süper Lig club, with Konyaspor agreeing a €1 million fee with Nantes.

For Awaziem, the move represents another chapter in a career that has already taken him across Portugal, France, Turkey, Spain, Croatia and the United States.

His previous experience of Turkish football should also help him settle quickly. The defender has already played in the country before, meaning the switch to Konyaspor is less of an adaptation challenge than it would be for a player experiencing the league for the first time.

At international level, Awaziem remains an experienced Super Eagles option, and his move allows him to maintain regular top-flight football while remaining firmly in the national-team picture.

2. Gift Orban – Amedspor

Gift Orban has taken a different route, joining newly promoted Amedspor from German Bundesliga club Hoffenheim.

The 24-year-old striker moved on a season-long loan, with Amedspor also securing an option to make the transfer permanent.

The move comes after a productive loan spell at Hellas Verona in Serie A, where Orban rebuilt some of the momentum that made him one of European football’s most exciting young strikers at Gent.

Amedspor will be hoping that version of Orban arrives in Turkey. The Nigerian has already shown that he can be devastating when given freedom around the penalty area, particularly with his movement and instinctive finishing.

Playing regularly in the Süper Lig could therefore be important for a player whose career has stalled somewhat since his explosive rise in Belgium.

3. Kelechi Iheanacho – Bursaspor

Iheanacho’s move is the most surprising of the four. The former Manchester City and Leicester City striker left Celtic after helping the Scottish club win the domestic league and Scottish Cup before choosing Bursaspor as his next destination.

Unlike Awaziem and Orban, however, Iheanacho will not be playing in the Süper Lig this season.

Bursaspor compete in Turkey’s second tier, making the move a calculated gamble for the 29-year-old.

Iheanacho has explained that he was attracted by Bursaspor’s ambitious project, including their desire to return to the Süper Lig and eventually compete in European football.

Iheanacho scored and provided an assist on his Bursaspor debut in a 2-0 victory over Bodrum, immediately showing why the club invested heavily in his experience.

If he can maintain that level, Bursaspor may have one of the most accomplished strikers in the division leading their promotion push.

4. Yira Sor – Amedspor

Yira Sor is the latest Nigerian name to seal a move to Turkey. The 26-year-old winger is set to leave Belgian club Genk, with newly promoted Amedspor working to complete his transfer. Genk coach Jess Thorup has confirmed that Sor has been away from the club and will not be part of their plans for the new season.

Sor has already arrived in Turkey, set for his medical after putting pen to paper on a three-year deal.

His potential arrival would give Amedspor another Nigerian attacking option alongside Orban.

Tu bi xêr hatî Yira Sor✨

Hoş geldin Yira Sor✨ pic.twitter.com/v7R1ZktR1w

— Amedspor (@amedskofficial) August 10, 2026

“After spending time in Belgium, I am excited about this new challenge in a competitive league like the Turkish Süper Lig,” Sor said in quotes revealed by Footy Africa.

“I am happy that the two clubs were able to reach an agreement. For me, this is a new challenge and one that I am willing to take on.

“There are a lot of Nigerian players in Turkey, especially our captain Wilfred Ndidi, who is with Beşiktaş, Victor Osimhen at Galatasaray and many others. It should be fun facing my fellow Nigerians in the league, and I am also happy that Gift Orban is at the club.

“I want to thank the Genk fans for their support throughout all the years I was with them. I love them, but this is a new challenge for me.”

Sor brings a different profile to the striker. The former Slavia Prague and Genk winger is known for his pace and ability to attack defenders from wide areas.

After struggling for consistency in Belgium partly due to injuries, a move to Turkey could allow him to rebuild his momentum.