Transfer: Olympique Marseille snap up Super Eagles midfielder in ₦10.3bn move

The Super Eagles midfielder is set to don the colours of Olympique Marseille alongside Mason Greenwood, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and others…

Olympique Marseille have completed the signing of Nigerian midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi from Belgian side Zulte Waregem in a €6 million deal on the winter transfer deadline day, Soccernet.ng reports.

Per Foot1, the 22-year-old arrived in France on Monday to undergo medicals and finalise the formalities of the move, ending weeks of speculation over his future.

The defensive midfielder had attracted interest from several European clubs, including West Ham United, after his breakthrough season in Belgium and his first senior call-up to the Super Eagles.

However, Marseille moved decisively to secure his signature as they look to strengthen their midfield in their push to challenge Paris Saint-Germain for the Ligue 1 title.

Marseille land Super Eagles player in late deadline move

The French Ligue 1 giants identified Nnadi as a key addition to inject energy into their midfield. Marseille’s recruitment team acted swiftly in the final hours of the window to beat off competition and complete the transfer.

The €6 million fee (about 10.3 billion naira) makes Nnadi the fourth-most expensive outgoing player in Zulte Waregem’s history, with his market value estimated at around €2 million before the move.

Tochukwu Nnadi: Owerri to Ligue 1

Born on June 30, 2003, in Ihiagwa, Owerri West, Nnadi stands at 1.76 metres and operates primarily as a defensive midfielder, with the ability to play centrally.

He began his youth career in Owerri before moving to the Madenat Alamal Football Academy in Bulgaria.

He later spent four seasons with Botev Plovdiv before joining Zulte Waregem in January 2024 on a contract running until 2028.

His consistent performances in the Belgian league quickly established him as one of the club’s standout players this season.

Super Eagles breakthrough

Nnadi’s strong form earned him a place in Nigeria’s Super Eagles squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, marking his first senior international call-up.

His displays during the tournament further raised his profile and placed him on the radar of top European clubs.

Although Premier League side West Ham United were heavily linked with the midfielder, Marseille ultimately won the race for his signature, viewing him as a long-term investment and an immediate option to reinforce their title ambitions.

Nnadi becomes the latest Nigerian player to join Marseille and will look to make an immediate impact as he begins a new chapter in his career in French football.