Super Eagles’ 10 most valuable defenders: Basel lad joins Bassey & Nwaiwu on elite list

Newly invited Super Eagles defender Akpe Victory has entered the conversation of Nigeria’s most valuable defenders at the moment, Afrik-Foot reports.

Following the latest Transfermarkt update, FC Basel youngster Victory has joined Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu and Ola Aina among the Super Eagles’ most valuable defenders.

Bassey remains the undisputed number one on the chart but a few new names have found their way into the top ten.

Established Premier League players sit alongside young defenders making their mark in Switzerland and the Czech Republic, with several valuations driven by rapid career progression.

Super Eagles’ top 10 valuable defenders

1. Calvin Bassey, €28m

Bassey sits alone at the summit after establishing himself as a Premier League centre-back with Fulham. The 26-year-old came through Leicester City’s system, moved to Rangers, then Ajax before Fulham signed him in July 2023. Transfermarkt currently ranks him at €28m, with 45 Nigeria caps. He is also rated among the Super Eagles’ best defenders in history.

2. Chibuike Nwaiwu, €18m

Nwaiwu’s valuation has rocketed from €10m to €18m, an €8m surge in the latest update. The 23-year-old moved from Wolfsberger to Trabzonspor in January 2026 and has started every Süper Lig match this season, including the 4-0 demolition of Galatasaray.

3. Ola Aina, €18m

Aina retains his €18m valuation after turning his Premier League experience into sustained importance at Nottingham Forest. The former Chelsea academy player joined Forest in 2023 and extended his contract in July 2025. He now has 48 Super Eagles caps.

4. Emmanuel Fernandez, €16m

Despite seeing a €2m dip in value, Rangers defender Fernandez is still among Nigeria’s most valuable centre-backs. Rangers paid Peterborough €2.9m for the centre-back in July 2025, when his valuation was dramatically lower. A breakthrough Scottish season propelled him into Nigeria’s senior setup and towards an estimated €16m.

5. Samuel Isife, €5m

Samuel Isife has hit a new career high in valuation after an incredible progression in the Czech Republic. The 22-year-old developed at Nigeria’s 36 Lion academy, moved to Vlašim and attracted Slavia Prague’s attention. He has already supplied assists in the Czech league and Champions League this season.

6. Igoh Ogbu, €5m

Super Eagles defender Ogbu’s valuation has moved in the opposite direction. The Slavia Prague defender fell from €7m to €5m after an Achilles injury ruled him out of the opening months of the campaign. His previous rise was built on regular European and Czech league football.

7. Felix Agu, €4.5m

Agu’s route began in Osnabrück before Werder Bremen secured him on a free transfer in 2020. The versatile full-back has accumulated Bundesliga experience on both flanks and reached a career valuation peak of €8.9m before dropping to the current €4.5m.

8. Akpe Victory, €4m

Akpe is one of the newest names on the list. The 20-year-old, 1.95m centre-back joined Basel from Zalaegerszegi in July on a contract through 2030. He started Basel’s early-season matches and scored against Young Boys, helping accelerate his market rise and earning an October Super Eagles invitation.

8. Emmanuel Uchenna, €4m

Uchenna’s value has been built around his rapid development at Sparta Prague. The 22-year-old started 13 of 14 league appearances last season, played more than 1,000 minutes and scored twice as his estimated value climbed.

8. Bright Osayi-Samuel, €4m

Osayi-Samuel’s journey stretches from Blackpool to QPR, Fenerbahçe and Birmingham City. The 28-year-old joined Birmingham in 2025 and carries 34 Nigeria Super Eagles caps, with Transfermarkt valuing the right-back at €4m.

8. Jordan Torunarigha, €4m

Super Eagles centre-back Torunarigha brings Bundesliga pedigree to the group. The 29-year-old played 73 Bundesliga matches for Hertha, spent three-and-a-half seasons at Gent and returned to Germany with Hamburg on a free transfer in 2025.