Super Eagles: 10 most expensive Nigeria signings in Bundesliga history including Raphael Onyedika

The Bundesliga has been home to some of Nigeria Super Eagles’ biggest football stars for more than 30 years, Afrik-Foot reports.

From Victor Agali’s move to Schalke in 2001 to Raphael Onyedika’s switch to Eintracht Frankfurt in 2026, Nigerian players have continued to earn major transfers into Germany’s top division.

These deals show how highly Bundesliga clubs rate Nigerian talent. Some players went on to win league titles and domestic cups, while others struggled to live up to expectations because of injuries, competition for places, or personal challenges.

Here is a ranking of the 10 most expensive Nigerian signings in Bundesliga history.

Super Eagles’ biggest Bundesliga transfers

10. Victor Agali – FC Schalke 04 (€5.10m)

Victor Agali became one of Nigeria’s earliest big-money Bundesliga transfers when Schalke signed him from Hansa Rostock before the 2001/02 season for €5.10 million. Standing at 6ft 4in, Agali was known for his strength, aerial ability and hold-up play. Schalke wanted him to lead their attack alongside Danish striker Ebbe Sand as they chased Bundesliga success.

Agali enjoyed several memorable moments in Gelsenkirchen. He helped Schalke lift the 2002 DFB-Pokal and scored 14 Bundesliga goals in 71 league appearances across three seasons. However, disciplinary problems and disagreements with club officials eventually ended his stay in Germany in 2004.

9. Victor Ikpeba – Borussia Dortmund (€6.00m)

Borussia Dortmund paid €6 million to sign Victor Ikpeba in 1999 after he had become one of Africa’s biggest stars with AS Monaco and won the 1997 African Footballer of the Year award. Dortmund hoped the Nigerian striker would strengthen their attack after missing out on Brazilian forward Paulo Sergio.

Instead, the move became one of the most disappointing transfers in the club’s history. Ikpeba struggled to adapt to German football, scored only two Bundesliga goals in 21 matches during his first season and found regular playing time difficult to secure.

Off the pitch, he also dealt with the heartbreaking loss of his wife and later spoke about experiencing racism during his time in Germany. He eventually left Dortmund for Spain.

8. Sunday Oliseh – Borussia Dortmund (€7.50m)

Borussia Dortmund spent €7.50 million in 2000 to bring former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh back to Germany after spells with Ajax and Juventus. Oliseh quickly became an important player in midfield. During the 2001/02 season, he made 32 Bundesliga appearances as Dortmund won the league title and also reached the UEFA Cup final.

His relationship with coach Matthias Sammer later broke down, reducing his playing time. A controversial incident while on loan at Bochum further damaged his future, leading to the termination of his Dortmund contract in 2004.

7. Taiwo Awoniyi – Union Berlin (€8.55m)

After spending six years under contract with Liverpool and several loan spells across Europe, Taiwo Awoniyi finally found stability at Union Berlin. The German club signed him permanently for a club-record €8.55 million in July 2021 after an excellent loan season.

Awoniyi rewarded that faith with an outstanding campaign. He scored 20 goals in 43 matches across all competitions, including 15 Bundesliga goals in the 2021/22 season. His goals helped Union Berlin finish fifth in the Bundesliga and qualify for the UEFA Europa League for the first time. He later joined Nottingham Forest for a club-record sale worth about €20.5 million.

6. Raphael Onyedika – Eintracht Frankfurt (€9.00m)

Raphael Onyedika joined Eintracht Frankfurt in August 2026 after three successful seasons with Belgian side Club Brugge. Frankfurt paid an initial €9 million, with the deal capable of rising to €10 million through add-ons, after beating interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.

The midfielder signed a contract until 2031 and was recruited to strengthen a Frankfurt side that had struggled defensively after conceding 86 league goals the previous season. Although he is only beginning his Bundesliga journey, the Super Eagles midfielder arrives with Champions League experience and the reputation of being one of Europe’s most reliable defensive midfielders.

5. Gift Orban – Hoffenheim (€9.00m)

Gift Orban completed a €9 million move to Hoffenheim in January 2025 after a difficult spell at Lyon. The striker made an encouraging start by scoring on his Bundesliga debut against Eintracht Frankfurt.

However, he could not hold down a regular starting place. Orban scored four Bundesliga goals in 13 appearances before being loaned to Hellas Verona. By the summer of 2026, Hoffenheim had again sent him out on loan, this time to Turkish side Amedspor with a mandatory purchase option.

4. Obafemi Martins – Wolfsburg (€10.50m)

Obafemi Martins left Newcastle United following their Premier League relegation in 2009 and signed for defending Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg for €10.50 million. The Nigerian striker joined a team that already featured Edin Džeko and Grafite, making competition for places extremely difficult.

Injuries also affected Martins throughout the campaign. He still managed six Bundesliga goals in 16 league matches, showing flashes of his famous speed and spectacular finishing. After just one season in Germany, Wolfsburg sold him to Rubin Kazan.

3. Ademola Lookman – RB Leipzig (€18.00m)

Ademola Lookman impressed RB Leipzig during a six-month loan in 2018, scoring five goals in only 11 matches. That form convinced the club to spend €18 million on a permanent transfer from Everton in July 2019.

His second spell was much tougher. Leipzig had one of the strongest attacking squads in Germany, with Timo Werner, Christopher Nkunku and Dani Olmo all competing for places. Lookman managed only 13 appearances without a goal or assist before loan moves to Fulham and Leicester City. He later rebuilt his career successfully with Atalanta in Italy.

2. Victor Boniface – Bayer Leverkusen (€22.60m)

Victor Boniface joined Bayer Leverkusen for €22.60 million in July 2023 after starring for Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise. The striker had finished as one of the UEFA Europa League’s top scorers and even impressed Leverkusen while playing against them.

His first season in Germany was sensational. Boniface won four straight Bundesliga Rookie of the Month awards and scored 21 goals in all competitions despite missing several matches with a groin injury. His powerful displays helped Xabi Alonso’s side win their first-ever Bundesliga title and also lift the DFB-Pokal.

1. Nathan Tella – Bayer Leverkusen (€23.30m)

Nathan Tella remains the most expensive Nigerian signing in Bundesliga history after Bayer Leverkusen paid €23.30 million to sign him from Southampton in August 2023. The winger had enjoyed an excellent loan spell at Burnley, scoring 17 goals to help the club secure promotion to the Premier League.

At Leverkusen, Tella became an important player in Xabi Alonso’s squad during the unforgettable 2023/24 season. Although he often rotated with other attackers or played as a wing-back, his speed, work rate and versatility made him a valuable option in both the Bundesliga and UEFA Europa League.

His contributions helped Leverkusen complete an unbeaten domestic double, winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal in unarguably the greatest season in the club’s history.