Toni Payne joins Inter Milan: Ranking 5 greatest Nigerian women to play in Italy’s Serie A

Nigeria midfielder Toni Payne has completed a major move to Italian club Inter Milan Women, becoming the latest Super Falcons player to take her career to Italy’s top women’s league, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 31-year-old joined Inter on a free transfer after leaving English Women’s Super League side Everton at the end of her contract. She has signed a two-year deal that will keep her at the club until 2028.

Payne arrives with plenty of experience after playing in three of Europe’s strongest leagues. She spent the last two seasons at Everton, making 50 appearances in England. Before that, she enjoyed six successful years with Sevilla in Spain, where she played 168 matches and scored 30 goals. Her professional journey in Europe began at Ajax in the Netherlands.

Born in the United States, Payne represented the USA at youth level before switching to Nigeria in 2021. Since then, she has become one of the Super Falcons’ most dependable midfielders. She featured at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand before helping Nigeria qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Speaking after signing for Inter Milan, Payne said she was delighted to begin a new chapter.

“There’s so much history at the club, and I’m really happy to be a part of it. I’m in a different phase of my career. I’m really excited to be joining such a competitive league and a competitive team that are striving for great things.”

Payne completed the move shortly before joining the Super Falcons squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where Nigeria are chasing another continental title.

Her arrival also adds another famous Nigerian name to Serie A Femminile, a league that has welcomed several Super Falcons stars over the years.

Ranking Nigeria’s greatest women in Serie A

5. Ogbonna Chukwudi

Veteran midfielder Ogbonna Chukwudi helped strengthen Nigeria’s reputation in Italy during the later years of her career.

After spending many successful seasons in Sweden, she moved to Italy and joined Lazio Women for the 2021/22 campaign. Her experience proved valuable as she operated mainly as a defensive midfielder, helping the team remain organised against powerful opponents such as Juventus and Roma.

She later moved to Torres in Sardinia for the 2022/23 season. At Torres, Chukwudi showed her versatility by playing in more advanced positions while also guiding younger teammates with her leadership.

Although she spent only a short period in Italy, Chukwudi brought the experience of three FIFA Women’s World Cups and multiple Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles. She became one of the Nigerian players who helped open more doors for African footballers in Serie A Femminile during the league’s transition into a fully professional competition.

4. Osinachi Ohale

Super Falcons defender Osinachi Ohale made history when she signed for AS Roma in July 2020.

The experienced centre-back joined the Italian side after playing in Spain and arrived with an impressive international record that included three Women’s World Cup appearances and four WAFCON titles.

Ohale immediately added strength and leadership to Roma’s defence. She impressed with her physical style, ability to read the game and calm passing from the back. Whether playing in central defence or moving into wider areas, she gave the team extra stability.

Although her stay lasted only half a season before returning to Spain with Madrid CFF in January 2021, Ohale played an important role in Roma’s development. Her professionalism helped raise standards at the club during a period that eventually led to Roma becoming one of Italy’s strongest women’s teams.

3. Jennifer Echegini

Jennifer Echegini enjoyed arguably the most remarkable short spells ever seen in Italian women’s football.

The Nigerian midfielder joined Juventus in January 2024 after graduating from the Florida State University in the United States. She adapted almost immediately, scoring 10 goals and providing one assist in only 16 appearances.

Her memorable moments included a brace against Inter Milan, a hat-trick against Fiorentina and several match-winning displays that helped Juventus qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Her outstanding performances earned her the Serie A Femminile Best Under-23 Player award and a place in the league’s Team of the Season despite playing only half of the campaign.

The impressive form also earned Echegini a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain later in 2024, confirming her status as one of Nigeria’s brightest young midfielders.

2. Rinsola Babajide

Rinsola Babajide is a big success story at Roma after joining from Spanish club UD Tenerife in 2025.

The winger scored on her Serie A debut against Parma and played an important role throughout Roma’s title-winning campaign. Her pace, direct running and attacking creativity helped the club build a long unbeaten run before sealing the Serie A Femminile title with games to spare.

Babajide also helped Roma win the Coppa Italia, completing a memorable domestic double in her first season in Italy. Alongside league football, she featured in the UEFA Women’s Champions League while continuing to impress for the Super Falcons after switching her international allegiance from England to Nigeria.

Her achievements made her one half of the first Nigerian pair to win the Italian women’s league together.

1. Shukurat Oladipo

At the top of the list is young defender Shukurat Oladipo, whose rapid rise has made her the most successful Nigerian female player in Italian football.

The centre-back joined AS Roma from FC Robo Queens in 2025 and quickly settled into probably Europe’s most tactical leagues. After making her debut against Fiorentina, she established herself as a regular starter during Roma’s title-winning season.

Oladipo’s performances were outstanding. Across 18 league appearances, including 15 starts, she produced 104 ball recoveries, 70 clearances, 27 interceptions and 27 successful tackles. Roma also remained unbeaten in every league match she played.

Those displays earned her the Serie A Femminile Best Defender of the Season award and a place in the Team of the Season alongside some of Italy’s biggest stars.

Together with Babajide, she became the first Nigerian to win the Italian women’s league title as part of an all-Nigerian championship-winning partnership. Still only 21, Oladipo continues to grow in confidence and is expected to play another key role for the Super Falcons at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.