A couple of clubs splashed some cash on a host of Nigerian players in 2017.
Clubs from all over the world in 2017 splashed some cash in signing a couple of Nigerians which prompts this Pulse List 2017 of the top 7 transfers of Nigerian footballers this year.
2017 saw the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Manchester United and a slew of other European clubs spent huge dollars on players.
While no club went over the top for any Nigerian players, a couple of them still spent some money signing a few of the country’s best.
These are five of the biggest transfers involving Nigerian players in 2017.
Kelechi Iheanacho: Manchester City to Leicester City (£25m)
After losing his place at Manchester City, Kelechi Iheanacho was desperate for a move away from the Etihad.
Leicester City came calling with £25m to make him the most expensive Nigerian player, however.
His move to Leicester City has however not worked out as a foot injury picked up in pre-season coupled with the good early season form of Shinji Okazaki alongside Jamie Vardy meant opportunities were hard to come by for Iheanacho in the 21-year-old.
2. Odion Ighalo: Watford to Changchun Yatai F.C (£20m)
After initial successes at Watford, Odion Ighalo during the 2016/2017 season suddenly found himself struggling at the Premier League club.
Ready for a new challenge, Chinese side Changchun Yatai F.C came calling and splashed £20m on the striker.
At Changchun Yatai F.C he found his scoring form after initial struggles in China. In the just concluded Chinese Super League (CSL) season, Ighalo scored 14 goals as Changchun Yatai finished seventh.
3. Wilfred Ndidi: Genk to Leicester City (£17m)
Fresh off winning the 2016 Premier League title, nothing was working for them, Leicester City were back in relegation waters in the early stages of the 2016/2017 Premier League.
Claudio Ranieri’s little tweak to his title-winning team wasn’t working and most importantly, the exit of their engine N’Golo Kante left them exposed.
With his replacement Nampalys Mendy injured, Leicester City splashed £17m to bring in Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi from Belgian side Genk.
Although he is no Kante, Ndidi has been a revelation in England and was voted Leicester City’s Young Player of the Year despite spending only half a season with them.
4. Brown Ideye: Olympiakos to Tianjin TEDA (€12M)
Brown Ideye was one of the Nigerian players that moved in 2017 and commanded one of the top transfers fees for a Nigerian player in 2017. Chinese Super League side, Tianjin Teda splashed €12m on the striker.
5. Henry Onyekuru: KAS Eupen to Everton (£7m)
Nigerian attacker Henry Onyekuru was one of Europe’s revelations last season after his break-out year with KAS Eupen where he scored 24 goals and made 14 assists.
His performances for Eupen attracted the attention of the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal before Everton splashed £7m on him.
He was sent off on loan immediately back to Belgium but with Anderlecht where he has continued with his fine form.
6. Olarenwaju Kayode: Austria Vienna to Manchester City/Girona (£3.5m)
It was a huge surprise when Manchester City signed Nigerian striker Olarenwaju Kayode in August 2017 but the Premier League giants quickly loaned him out to club Girona.
City splashed £3.5m on the striker who scored 37 goals in 85 matches in the Austrian Bundesliga.
7. Emmanuel Emenike: Fenerbahce to Olympiacos (€2.5m)
Emmanuel Emenike completes this Pulse List following his €2.5m move from Fenerbahce to Greek giants Olympiacos in June 2016.
Emenike moved to Olympiacos after a mixed six-year stay in Turkey with Fenerbahce.