Several Super Eagles stars will be looking to revive their fortunes in the new season after a 2025/26 campaign that brought injuries, loan moves and inconsistent form for a number of Nigeria’s leading players abroad, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Taiwo Awoniyi endured one of the toughest seasons of his career at Nottingham Forest, scoring just once in 26 Premier League appearances as his value fell from €16m to €8m.
The 28-year-old, whose stock had peaked at €30m in October 2023, saw his league minutes restricted to 396 across the campaign as Chris Wood established himself as Forest’s first-choice striker, and he will be desperate to reclaim his place up front in the new season.
Samuel Chukwueze also had a mixed campaign following his season-long loan move from AC Milan to Fulham in September 2025. The winger managed three goals and four assists in 20 appearances in the Premier League, but Fulham refused to make the move permanent, sending him back to Serie A.
Ademola Lookman’s numbers dropped sharply compared with his outstanding 2024/25 season, in which he won the UEFA Europa League with Atalanta and claimed the CAF Player of The Year award.
His output fell from 20 goals and seven assists the previous term to just three goals and two assists in 19 matches before a proposed move to Inter Milan collapsed and he was sold to Atletico Madrid for around €40m in February 2026, a switch that will offer him a fresh platform to rediscover his best form in the new season.
Chidera Ejuke featured heavily for Sevilla in La Liga, making 27 appearances, though limited mostly to substitute outings; he managed one goal and one assist, scoring against Real Oviedo in December. The 28-year-old will hope for a more consistent role in the new campaign after starting only six of Sevilla’s league fixtures.
Gift Orban has completed a fresh loan move to newly promoted Turkish Süper Lig side Amedspor from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim, ending a period of uncertainty over his future.
The 24-year-old scored seven goals and provided two assists in twenty-eight appearances on loan at Hellas Verona last season, though he could not prevent the Italian club’s relegation from Serie A. The Amedspor deal includes an option that could become an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met.
Tolu Arokodare, who scored 22 goals for Genk in 2024/25 to establish himself among Belgium’s top marksmen, saw his Wolves team relegated after his summer move failed to inspire much success. The towering striker scored on his debut at Ajax in the pre-season and will be eager to rediscover his best form when the season gets underway.
Joe Aribo’s season took a difficult turn after he struggled for game time at Southampton before joining Leicester City on loan in January, making just six appearances as the Foxes were relegated to League One. Southampton have since confirmed his departure at the end of his contract, and the 29-year-old will be searching for a new club and a return to regular football this summer.
Nathan Tella’s campaign at Bayer Leverkusen was repeatedly disrupted by injury, with the winger missing 17 matches through various physical setbacks, including a knee problem that kept him out for two months. He still managed one goal and four assists in 17 Bundesliga appearances when available, and fitness will be central to any revival in his fortunes next season.
Terem Moffi’s difficulties began with a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury in pre-season training with Nice that sidelined him for 243 days, before an incident involving angry supporters following a 3-1 defeat to Lorient further strained his relationship with the club. He joined FC Porto on loan in January 2026. The loan has since ended, and he will be looking to rebuild his career at his new club as he pushes for a move.
All nine players will be hoping a change of scenery, restored fitness or simply a fresh start can help them rediscover the form that made them among the continent’s most sought-after Nigerian talents.