Two Nigerian midfielders who can replace Onyedika at Club Brugge

Raphael Onyedika’s departure to Eintracht Frankfurt leaves Club Brugge with a big midfield vacancy, Afrik-Foot reports

The Super Eagles midfielder established himself as the heartbeat of the Belgian champions after arriving from FC Midtjylland in 2022, combining in possession and an eye for line-breaking passes.

Frankfurt swooped up the Nigerian international in a deal worth up to €10 million, bringing an end to his successful three-year stay in Belgium. Replacing a player who made over 180 appearances and helped deliver multiple domestic trophies will not be straightforward.

🚨🦅 Raphael Onyedika to Eintracht Frankfurt, here we go! Agreement done for Nigerian midfielder to join Eintracht.

€10m fee to Club Brugge, Onyedika prefers Eintracht despite bids also from Saudi. 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/Ig2VdpQEH0

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 31, 2026

Club Brugge have built a reputation for identifying talented young players before they explode onto bigger European stages.

With Onyedika gone, the Belgian giants may once again look towards the Nigerian market, where several midfielders possess the attributes needed to thrive in the Jupiler Pro League.

Two Nigerian midfielders who can replace Onyedika at Club Brugge

1. Tochukwu Nnadi

Olympique de Marseille midfielder is the most obvious candidate. The 23-year-old joined Marseille from Zulte Waregem earlier this year but has endured a frustrating start to life in France.

As Afrik-Foot recently reported, the midfielder has struggled for opportunities under new coach Bruno Genesio, failing to feature during the club’s early pre-season preparations. Ironically, that situation could work in Club Brugge’s favour.

Why Nnadi fits

Like Onyedika, Nnadi is primarily a defensive midfielder who thrives without the ball. His greatest strengths lie in recovering possession, breaking up opposition attacks and protecting the back four before quickly recycling possession. However, he can also double as a box-to-box midfielder.

He also possesses the athleticism that Brugge demand from their midfielders. Comfortable covering large spaces and pressing aggressively, Nnadi would adapt naturally to the Belgian side’s high-intensity style.

Technically, he is calm under pressure and rarely forces risky passes. Rather than attempting spectacular deliveries, he prefers progressive, intelligent distribution that keeps attacks moving, qualities that made Onyedika such an important figure in Brugge’s build-up play.

At only 23, Nnadi also fits Club Brugge’s recruitment philosophy of signing young players with significant resale potential.

The biggest obstacle

The main question is whether Marseille would be willing to sanction another move so soon after signing him.

While Nnadi has struggled for minutes, Marseille invested around €6 million in January and may prefer to send him on loan before considering a permanent sale.

However, if his situation remains unchanged during the opening months of the Ligue 1 campaign, Club Brugge could present the perfect opportunity for regular football and continued development.

2. Tochi Chukwuani

Unlike Nnadi, Tochi Chukwuani already enjoys consistent first-team football in European competition.

The 23-year-old has developed through the ranks with Austrian champions Sturm Graz, becoming one of the club’s most reliable midfielders thanks to his composure, tactical intelligence and excellent ball progression before joining Rangers in January.

Although Chukwuani has represented Denmark at youth level, he remains eligible to play for Nigeria internationally because of his Nigerian heritage, making him another player attracting interest from the Super Eagles.

Why Chukwuani fits

If Club Brugge decides to replace Onyedika with a midfielder capable of dictating possession and defending, Chukwuani may actually be the better fit.

His passing range stands out. He’s Comfortable receiving possession under pressure and consistently progresses the ball through midfield.

Defensively, he is disciplined rather than reckless. Instead of relying purely on tackles, Chukwuani excels at positioning himself intelligently, intercepting passes and closing passing lanes before danger develops. His physical profile also suits Belgian football.

The Nigerian angle

A move to Club Brugge could carry significance beyond club football. Regular performances in Belgium, particularly in European competitions, would inevitably increase attention from Nigeria as the Super Eagles continue monitoring players eligible to represent the country.

With Nigeria constantly searching for midfield depth behind established names, Chukwuani could become an even stronger candidate for an international switch if he continues his upward trajectory.

Who would be the better replacement?

Both players offer qualities that mirror different aspects of Onyedika’s game.

Nnadi represents the closer defensive profile. His aggressive ball-winning, physical presence and ability to shield defenders mirror many of the qualities that made Onyedika indispensable at Club Brugge.

Chukwuani, meanwhile, provides greater technical prowess, although not as good defensively as Onyedika.

For Club Brugge, the decision would likely depend on the type of midfielder they want next.

If replacing Onyedika’s defensive intensity is the priority, Nnadi appears the natural successor. If they want to evolve their midfield with greater control on the ball while maintaining defensive discipline, Chukwuani could be the smarter long-term investment.

Either way, Club Brugge would not have to look far to find another midfielder capable of following the path Raphael Onyedika has taken from promising talent to one of Europe’s most sought-after Nigerian players.