Top 10 African Players Who Moved Clubs in the January Transfer Window
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Top 10 African Players Who Moved Clubs in the January Transfer Window

Top 10 African Players Who Moved Clubs in the January Transfer Window

As the January transfer window slammed shut on Tuesday night, chaos reigned across the footballing world. Deals were rushed through, paperwork was frantically filed, and clubs gambled big in the final hours to get their business done.

Fresh off a thrilling AFCON campaign, many of Africa’s standout performers wasted no time swapping international glory for new club challenges, and new ambitions awaited.

Today, we break down the African players who made moves this January and rank the biggest and boldest transfers of the window. Buckle up.

10. Joe Aribo (Nigeria) - Leicester

The experienced central midfielder swapped clubs this window, singing for struggling Championship side Leicester City on loan until the end of the season.

Aribo has struggled for minutes at Southampton this season, making only 7 appearances for the side, he also failed to make the Nigeria squad for the AFCON. Now at 29-years old, the player will be hoping to recapture his old form. Once a Europa League finalist with Rangers, in which he scored the opening goal, Aribo has already shown what he is capable of on the biggest stage.

Leicester currently sit in the bottom half of the Championship, and current interim manager Andy King will be hoping that Joe Aribo can add some much needed athleticism and professionalism into the side.

9. Frank Onyeka (Nigeria) - Coventry

The window saw experienced defensive midfielder Frank Onyeka loaned out once again by his parent club Brentford. After a spell in the Bundesliga with Augsburg last season, Onyeka has now joined high-flying Coventry in the Championship,

Onyeka was part of Nigeria's squad that reached the semi-finals of the AFCON, and he was also a member of the Brentford squad in their early Premier League days. Therefore, at only 28-years old and entering his prime years, Onyeka already boasts a range of experience.

Frank Lampard's Coventry remain top of the Championship table despite the gap closing in recent weeks. The addition of Frank Onyeka into the squad adds some much needed cover and competition in the midfield that will be sure to help Coventry seal their return to the big stage.

8. Jeremie Boga (Ivory Coast) - Juventus

After a controversial few months in France resulting in the winger being sidelined, Jeremie Boga joined Italian giants Juventus on loan until the end of the season.

The 2025/26 season has been calamitous for OGC Nice both on and off the pitch. After a 3-1 defeat to Lorient earlier on in the season, unrest from fans led to them physically confronting and assaulting some players, and this included Boga. This incident saw the player granted leave by the club, and he hasn't featured for the side since.

Juventus have a former wonderkid on their hands. Coming through the Chelsea academy, and making his Premier League debut under Antonio Conte, Jeremie Boga was destined for the stars. However, as is the case with many Cobham graduates, a few failed loan spells led to his career taking a different trajectory. Nonetheless, Boga has carved out an impressive career for himself across France and Italy. Now 29-years old, the player has no more time to dwell on the past, he needs to hit the ground running in Turin.

7. Evann Guessand (Ivory Coast) - Crystal Palace

Evann Guessand was one of the hot topics of the summer window as the 24-year old completed a permanent move from Nice to Aston Villa. Operating primarily as a right winger, he boasts the potential to devastate attacks across the Premier League. However, things haven't gone as smoothly as Guessand had hoped, and after only 2 goals and 1 assist in 21 appearances for Villa, he has now been loaned to Crystal Palace for the remainder of the season.

Guessand was a constant presence in Ivory Coast’s starting XI throughout AFCON, catching the eye with a goal and a string of lively, fearless performances. He played with confidence, intent, and the kind of edge that suggests there is still far more to come.

With attention turning back to the Premier League. Selhurst Park has long been a home for electric, technically gifted wingers, from Wilfried Zaha, to Yannick Bolasie and Michael Olise, players who learned their craft under the South London lights before exploding onto the big stage.

If his AFCON displays are anything to go by, Evann Guessand may just be next in line.

6. Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast) - Monaco

It's been an odd few seasons for the young Ivorian winger. Adingra sprung onto the scene as a teenager with Brighton two seasons ago and set the Premier League alight. That same season saw him lift the AFCON trophy with Ivory Coast as well as the personal accolade of Young Player of the Tournament.

Fast forward a couple seasons and Adingra was sold to newly promoted Sunderland. Starting off strongly, Adingra featured heavily for the Black Cats, but it wasn't long until his form meandered. Furthermore, he was excluded from Ivory Coast's squad for the 2026 AFCON. The window saw him loaned to Monaco, where he will be desperately looking to get his career back on track.

Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Gervinho, Nicolas Pepe - Adingra joins a long line of Ivorian players who forged their careers in Ligue 1. This is a good move for the 24-year old as Monaco remain competitive across all competitions this season. Adingra will look to make a name for himself in Ligue 1.

5. George Ilenikhena - Al Ittihad

In a dramatic last week of the transfer window for Al Ittihad which saw them lose their star man, former Balon D'or winner Karim Benzema, they turned to Nigeria's George Ilenikhena to fill the void, with the player signing on a permanent deal from Monaco.

At just 19, the striker has already racked up 51 senior appearances for Monaco, finding the net 10 times across all competitions. Raw, powerful, and fearless, George Ilenikhena has quickly emerged as one of the brightest African prospects of his generation, a talent clubs around the world have been tracking closely. His move to Saudi Arabia may yet prove to be a shrewd piece of business.

Of course, some will question the decision. A teenager leaving Europe’s elite ecosystem for the Saudi Pro League will always raise eyebrows, with concerns about competitiveness and long-term development, but that view ignores the bigger picture. Surrounded by seasoned veterans, Ilenikhena gains invaluable experience, mentorship, and minutes, all while securing a financial package few players his age could ever turn down.

For a young Nigerian striker with the world at his feet, it’s a calculated gamble. And honestly? It’s hard to blame him.

4. Mamadou Sarr (Senegal) - Chelsea

After triumph with the Lions of Teranga in Morocco, and a flawless performance in the final, Mamadou Sarr was recalled by parent club Chelsea from Strasbourg in the midst of their defensive crisis.

Sarr enjoyed a solid 2024/25 campaign with Strasbourg, making 28 appearances and growing into a reliable presence at the back. His progress was rewarded with a call-up to Chelsea’s squad for their Club World Cup run, a tournament that ended in silverware and offered the young defender a taste of success at the very highest level. A return to Strasbourg at the start of the 2025/26 season followed, continuing his steady development.

Chelsea’s campaign since then has been anything but calm. The dismissal of Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day ushered in a new era, with Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior handed the reins at Stamford Bridge. The impact has been immediate, with six wins from his first eight matches reigniting belief in west London.

Sarr’s recall feels like a move that makes perfect sense. It eases Chelsea’s ongoing centre-back issues and reunites Rosenior with a player he knows and trusts. Like Andrey Santos, Sarr has played and learned under Rosenior extensively already, and his presence will be invaluable to the new manager.

Mamadou Sarr is one of the most promising young defenders in Europe, and if used correctly, his recalling could prove to be an astute bit of business for Chelsea.

3. Seko Fofana (Ivory Coast) - Porto

After spending 2 seasons in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr and Al-Ettifaq, Seko Fofana returned to France with Rennes in the 2024/25 season. The Ivorian midfielder made 29 appearances for Rennes over 18 months, and the January window saw him put pen to paper with Porto, joining the club on loan until the end of the season.

Now 30 years-old, Fofana was once regarded as one of the best African players in Europe. During his time at RC Lens, he helped the club achieve Champions League qualification and received personal accolades for his performances in Ligue 1. Described as a "Rolls-Royce" midfielder, Fofana offers a rare blend of attacking and defensive quality, something that is essential for any side in the engine room. Since his debut for Ivory Coast in 2018, he has been a mainstay in the side and featured in two AFCONs with the Elephants, winning the trophy in 2024.

Porto currently sit top of Liga Portugal and are into the knockout rounds of the Europa League. Fofana joins a side that is competitive on all fronts, and he will be looking to make an immediate impact to proceedings.

2. Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) - Atletico Madrid

Ademola Lookman’s journey has never followed a straight line. A graduate of Everton’s academy, spells at Fulham, Leicester and RB Leipzig failed to truly ignite his career, pushing the Nigerian international to take a leap of faith with Serie A side Atalanta.

That decision changed everything. In three and a half sensational seasons in Bergamo, Lookman blossomed into one of Europe’s most devastating attackers, scoring 55 goals and becoming the face of Atalanta’s rise. His crowning moment came in the 2024 Europa League final, where he delivered a breathtaking hat-trick to dismantle Xabi Alonso’s untouchable Bayer Leverkusen. The performances didn’t go unnoticed as Lookman was crowned African Player of the Year, etching his name into footballing history.

A fan favourite and a Champions League regular, Lookman had already given Atalanta everything. At 28, the time felt right for a new challenge. Despite heavy Premier League interest, it was Atlético Madrid who won the race.

Arriving in Spain with expectations firmly attached, Lookman will be eager to respond after AFCON heartbreak with Nigeria, a tournament where he and Victor Osimhen tore defences apart but fell short of ultimate glory. La Liga and the Champions League now await. Keep your eyes on him.

1. Antoine Semenyo (Ghana) - Manchester City

After nearly two seasons of tormenting Premier League defences, the inevitable finally arrived. Antoine Semenyo completed a move to Manchester City at the start of the window. This was a transfer that felt less like a gamble and more like destiny.

His rise has been nothing short of remarkable. From the depths of non-league football with Bath City to the bright lights of the Etihad, Semenyo’s journey is a true rags-to-riches story. Bristol City took a chance on him back in 2017, and across 124 appearances in the Championship he repaid that faith with 21 goals and flashes of frightening potential. It was only a matter of time before the top flight came calling.

Bournemouth were next, and that’s where everything clicked. At the Vitality Stadium, Semenyo was electric. Deployed across both wings and through the middle, he racked up 32 goals for the Cherries and delivered performances that many supporters will rank among the finest the club has ever witnessed. A step up felt inevitable, and yet the only question was where.

Pep Guardiola called, and Semenyo didn’t hesitate to answer.

The impact has been instant. Four goals in his first five appearances have announced his arrival in sky blue, and as City set their sights on hunting down league leaders Arsenal, Semenyo already looks like the difference-maker they’ve been missing.

Closing Remarks

As the season hurtles toward its defining moments, every one of these players will be desperate to leave their mark. Titles will be won, European places will be decided, and reputations will be forged under the brightest lights. This is the stage where careers shift, where moments matter, and where the bold separate themselves from the rest.

However, the stakes stretch far beyond club football. With the exception of Nigeria, every nation mentioned is bound for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and that reality adds an extra edge to every performance as every big-game display carries weight. Club glory may be the immediate prize, but looming in the background is something even greater, a coveted seat on the plane to the world’s biggest stage.

For these players, the run-in is about more than form. It’s about timing, belief, and seizing opportunity. The countdown has begun, and the world will be watching.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist

Arthur Turner

EFL Transfer and News Writer

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