Soccer
Several Super Eagles stars have endured a mixed campaign even as an exhilarating 2025-26 season draws to an end, Soccernet.ng reports.
The latest Transfermarkt market value update has brought major changes to the list of Nigeria’s most valuable defenders, with established names holding their ground while a new generation continues to rise.
While Fulham’s Calvin Bassey remains comfortably at the summit, the biggest talking points are the impressive climbs of Igoh Ogbu and Chibuike Nwaiwu, who have both forced their way into Nigeria’s top five most valuable defenders.
From Premier League regulars to emerging stars making waves in Central Europe and Turkey, here is a closer look at the ten most valuable defenders currently available to the Super Eagles.
Bruno Onyemaechi (€2.5m)
Bruno Onyemaechi holds on to a place in Nigeria’s top ten after another productive campaign for Olympiacos.
The left-back featured 17 times in the Greek Super League and added five UEFA Champions League appearances as Olympiacos enjoyed another successful season. His average league rating of 7.46 showed his consistency, while his defensive discipline helped the club secure the Greek Super Cup.
With Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Onyemaechi strengthened his claim as the country’s first-choice left-back. He started six matches at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, contributed one assist and played a key role as the Super Eagles secured a bronze medal.
Chidozie Awaziem (€2.5m)
Awaziem’s value has fallen despite a season in which he remained one of the most dependable defenders available to his clubs. The centre-back made 27 Ligue 1 appearances for Nantes, scoring once and providing two assists while accumulating more than 2,300 minutes. Unfortunately, his efforts could not prevent Nantes from suffering relegation to Ligue 2.
Earlier in the year, he also played 20 MLS matches for Colorado Rapids. At international level, Awaziem made four substitute appearances during Nigeria’s AFCON bronze-medal campaign.
Bright Osayi-Samuel (€4m)
Osayi-Samuel drops in value but remains one of Nigeria’s most trusted defenders. After leaving Turkish football, the versatile right-back moved to Birmingham City, where he made 27 Championship appearances and supplied one assist. His work rate remained a major asset throughout the season.
The former Fenerbahce defender was also a key member of Nigeria’s AFCON squad, starting all six matches as the Super Eagles secured third place. He earned an average tournament rating of 7.08 and was one of the standout performers in Morocco.
Jordan Torunarigha (€4m)
Jordan Torunarigha’s return to Germany has helped him maintain a strong position among Nigeria’s most valuable defenders. The left-footed centre-back joined Hamburger SV and quickly established himself in the Bundesliga. He played 24 league matches, completed 211 clearances and recorded an impressive 87 percent passing accuracy.
Although he has yet to feature for Nigeria this season despite previous call-ups, his performances in Germany continue to keep him firmly in contention for future Super Eagles squads.
Felix Agu (€4.5m)
Felix Agu remains just outside the top five despite an injury-hit campaign. The Werder Bremen defender featured mainly as a squad option in the Bundesliga, making 11 league appearances and registering one assist. His passing accuracy of 86 percent and defensive numbers demonstrated reliability whenever called upon.
Agu was involved in Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying plans earlier in the season but injury problems prevented him from participating in the final stages of qualification and the 2025 AFCON tournament.
Igoh Ogbu (€7m)
One of the biggest success stories of the year belongs to Igoh Ogbu. The Slavia Prague defender has broken into Nigeria’s top five most valuable defenders following an outstanding season in the Czech Republic. He made 17 league appearances, scored once and delivered consistently strong defensive displays as Slavia challenged for honours.
Ogbu also tasted Champions League football, where he displayed remarkable composure in possession, including a passing accuracy of 97 percent across his appearances.
His rise was rewarded with a breakthrough at senior international level. He featured in three AFCON matches and played his part in Nigeria’s bronze-medal finish, strengthening his reputation as one of the country’s fastest-rising centre-backs.
Chibuike Nwaiwu (€10m)
Few Nigerian defenders have enjoyed a rise as dramatic as Chibuike Nwaiwu. Only two years ago, the former Enyimba star was valued at just €300,000. Today he sits fourth on this list after a stunning climb that has transformed his career.
Nwaiwu began the season with Wolfsberger AC in Austria, making 12 league appearances before earning a move to Turkish giants Trabzonspor. He adapted quickly in the Super Lig, featuring 16 times, scoring three goals and adding an assist from central defence. His season reached another high point when Trabzonspor lifted the Turkish Cup in May.
Internationally, Nwaiwu made his Nigeria debut against Jordan and continued to impress during the Unity Cup, helping the Super Eagles record victories over Zimbabwe and Jamaica on their way to lifting the trophy.
Emmanuel Fernandez (€18m)
No defender on this list has experienced a bigger increase in value than Emmanuel Fernandez. Twelve months ago, he was worth only €350,000. A sensational season with Rangers has now elevated him into the elite bracket of Nigerian defenders.
Fernandez made 27 Scottish Premiership appearances, scored five goals, helped keep 12 clean sheets and earned a place in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year. His performances also saw him named Rangers Men’s Player of the Year.
The centre-back carried that momentum into international football, making an immediate impact for Nigeria by scoring on his first Super Eagles start and showing leadership beyond his years.
Ola Aina (€18m)
Despite a slight drop from €20m to €18m, Ola Aina remains Nigeria’s second most valuable defender. The Nottingham Forest star continued to prove why he is one of the Premier League’s most reliable full-backs. He started all 18 of his league appearances, registered six clean sheets and maintained an average rating above seven.
Aina was equally important in Europe, playing eight Europa League matches and helping Forest reach the semi-finals. Although he missed the 2025 AFCON, his performances in England ensured he retained his place among Nigeria’s defensive elite and remained comfortably ahead of the chasing pack.
Calvin Bassey (€28m)
At the top of the list sits Calvin Bassey, who remains Nigeria’s most valuable defender and the country’s third most valuable footballer overall behind Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
The Fulham defender delivered another commanding Premier League campaign. Across 30 appearances, he accumulated more than 2,500 minutes, recorded 99 clearances, won 62 tackles and contributed seven clean sheets. His consistency, physical dominance and ability to play out from the back have made him one of the most respected defenders in English football.
Bassey also played six matches for Nigeria at AFCON, helping the Super Eagles secure bronze. Although the national team later suffered the disappointment of missing out on World Cup qualification after a penalty shootout defeat, his individual performances remained at a high level throughout the campaign.
No Nigerian defender comes close to matching his €28m valuation, but the rapid rise of players such as Ogbu, Nwaiwu and Fernandez suggests the competition beneath him is becoming stronger than ever.
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